IM Vijayan on Maradona: I touched a God

It was a memorable day for IM Vijayan. The “Black Pearl of Indian football” met Argentine legend Diego Armando Maradona at a function at the Municipal Stadium, Kannur on Wednesday.

The former Indian international had the opportunity to interact with the 1986 FIFA World Cup winner and even played some football with the Argentine [+ watch the video].

“I had the feeling of playing a World Cup when I headed and passed the ball with Maradona,” a delighted Vijayan said.

Maradona enjoyed the meeting with Vijayan and he had a lot of fun to play some football with the former India star.

“The shirt I wore today while meeting Maradona is a great gift to me,” said Vijayan. “He hugged me and the shirt has his sweat in it. I’ve put it on a hanger and I will keep it forever. I feel really lucky.”

“I still feel really shocked. I can’t tell you how it felt when he hugged me,” Vijayan continued. “I’m speechless. It’s unbelievable that he hugged me.”

“It is a god-given gift that I had the opportunity to touch a divinity today,” a happy India legend told. “It is the best memory of my life and something I will never forget.”