Football News: When the magic of 'O Rei' Pele worked in Calcutta, the story of the 'diamond ring' is interesting
Amol Palekar responds to Utpal Dutt's inquiry about Pele in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's classic comedy Golmaal by saying that he has heard that between 30 and 40 thousand lunatics travel to Dum Dum airport in Calcutta (Kolkata) at midnight to see him arrive.
Pele, 'O Rei'.The great footballer's talent might be seen here in Brazil, thousands of miles away from India. Before Diego Maradona's heavenly intervention and Lionel Messi's unfulfilled World Cup dream were realised, this Brazilian legend had enthralled Bengal with the game's beauty.
Pele, a three-time World Cup champion, was amazed by the club's players' skills when watching the New York Cosmos face Mohun Bagan on September 24, 1977, in front of a crowded Eden Gardens.
Coach PK Banerjee with controlling Pele tasked Gautam Sarkar, and in his ideal match, Sarkar spared no effort. Pele was to get a diamond ring at a felicitation event held by Mohun Bagan in the evening.
O Rei was more eager to get to know the players. The first to meet him was goalkeeper Shivaji Banerjee. Pele emerged from the barricade and hugged the players.
The outcome of the game changed the fortune of the club.
Three weeks ago, preparations were first made.
Four days after this game, Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal in the IFA Shield championship.