Football legend Pele arrives in Kolkata October 11, 1:43 pm

Brazilian football legend Pele set foot again in the city on Sunday morning after an interval of 38 years amidst cheering from vociferous fans.

As a matter of fact, only a handful of fans and scores of mediamen had turned up at the airport to witness the legends arrival but as soon as the news trickled in about 100-odd visitors, who were there to receive their relatives, gathered soon to catch a glimpse of the ‘Black Pearl whose Emirates EK 0570 flight via Dubai landed at 8.07am.

Pele walked past the waiting crowd and waved as loud cheers greeted him.

While the five-star hotel was not available for a reaction, it is learnt that Pele may also have his favourite staple – rice and beans. Pele is renowned for being probably the best footballer that has ever played football.

For the record, Pele last came to the city in 1977 with the touring New York Cosmos team and played an exhibition match against Mohun Bagan to a packed Eden Gardens Stadium on September 24.

Pele won three World Cups as a player and has been named Football Player of the Century by FIFA, Athlete of the Century by the worldwide Olympic Committee, and a national treasure by Brazil’s government.

He is also likely to reunite with the Mohun Bagan’s “Class of 77” who will be felicitated at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in the “Legend’s Nite” where he will also interact with former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. Among others to be present at the event will be Academy award winning music composer A.R. Rahman and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal will also join the show through a video conference.

Pele, who landed in the city on Sunday morning, will have a rest day to deal with the jet-lag at his hotel Taj Bengal, where he will be received by Indian football icon Chuni Goswami and Dipendu Biswas.

The Brazilian will also be part of an auction dinner the proceeds for which would go to the Chief Minister Relief Fund.

The 74-year-old will be the guest of honour during Atletico de Kolkata’s first home match of ISL-2 on October 13 against Kerala Blasters FC.

The buzz surrounding his visit is palpable with banners and posters of the legend splashed across the city while a few of the leading confectioners and hotels have plans to prepare delicacies in his honour.