Maradona gets hero’s welcome in Kerala

Hundreds of football fans gave legendary footballer Diego Maradona a rapturous welcome as he arrived in Kerala on a two-day visit. Youngsters thronged both Kochi and Kannur airports for a glimpse of the former Argentina striker. Some had gathered at the airport even before dawn. “I waited from 4am to see Maradona. It was a dream come true for me,” said a young fan at Kochi. His visit comes a day after Maradona visited his replacement as coach at Al Wasl, Bruno Metsu, who is suffering from stomach cancer. He is currently being treated in American Hospital in Dubai. Maradona is visiting Kerala on an invitation from his industrialist friend Bobby Chemmanur. The former Argentina captain flew on a helicopter to Kannur where he will attend three functions Wednesday. Maradona returns to Dubai on Wednesday evening.