NEW DELHI: Football legend Diego Maradona is set to visit the soccer-crazy city of Kolkata in September ahead of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup being hosted by India.
The Argentine superstar will participate in a charity football match against Kolkata´s greatest cricket export and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, the event promoters told AFP.
Maradona -- who was given a hero´s welcome when he first visited the eastern Indian city in 2008 -- will also be presented with a lifetime achievement award in West Bengal state.
"It is such an honour for me to be able to make this trip. Kolkata is a very special place and I have good memories from my trip there many years ago, the fans were fantastic," Maradona posted on his Facebook page.
"#India is a very passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a whole new generation of fans while continuing to spread the overwhelming love that I have for this beautiful game."
Football is hugely popular in Kolkata, with fans closely following international matches, despite India´s dominant obsession with cricket.
The city has also hosted Brazilian great Pele, who last visited in 2015.
Maradona´s visit is expected to build enthusiasm for the U-17 World Cup, which India is hosting for the first time this October.
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