KOLKATA: Describing India as “a lovely country”, Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez arrived in the city airport on Monday.
The Golden Glove winner of the Qatar World Cup will take part in several promotional activities, including a visit to the Mohun Bagan club on Tuesday, during his two-day stay here.
“I promised to come to India and so here I’m. It's a lovely country. I'm really excited to be here,” Martinez said.
The 30-year-old Argentine, who plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League, flew into the city in the afternoon following his short stay in Dhaka, where he called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and presented her an Argentina jersey.
Fire and emergency service minister Sujit Bose and Mohun Bagan officials were present at the Dum Dum airport to receive the Argentine star.
On Tuesday, Martinez is scheduled to inaugurate the newly installed gate at the Mohun Bagan club tent, where he will also watch an exhibition match between the Mohun Bagan All Stars Team and Kolkata Police Commissioner All Stars Team.
He is scheduled to leave on Wednesday.
Martinez is the latest addition to the list of World Cup winners with whom the City of Joy has had its date in the past. Martinez is the latest addition to the list of World Cup winners with whom the City of Joy has had its date in the past. While Diego Maradona visited the city twice, Messi debuted as Argentina captain during a friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Laker Stadium in 2011.
Dibu was a standout performer in the 2022 World Cup, saving the kick of France’s Kingsley Coman in the penalty shootout in the final and helping Messi’s Argentina lift the cup.
