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Diego Maradona visited Kolkata in 2008 and again in December 2017. On the second trip he took part in charity events, unveiled a statue and played football with children. But despite the event’s billing as a match against Sourav Ganguly, Maradona did not play the much-publicized fixture with the former India cricket captain. A separate statue connection is reported in Candolim, Goa, though current visitor access and condition are unconfirmed.
What brought Maradona to Kolkata?
Maradona’s December 2017 trip was his second visit to Kolkata; his first reported visit was in 2008. During the three-day 2017 visit, he attended a charity event, handed cheques to 11 cancer patients and flagged off an air-conditioned ambulance. India Today reported that each cheque was for Rs 10,000 (India Today, December 2017).
Maradona also unveiled a Kolkata statue depicting him lifting the 1986 World Cup trophy. Contemporary reports put its height at 12 feet. The Times of India quoted him saying, “I am not god of football but a simple footballer. I’m happy to be here in Kolkata again,” and, of the statue, “It’s amazing to have my statue here” (The Times of India, December 2017).
Did Maradona play football with Sourav Ganguly?
No. A charity exhibition billed as “Diego vs Dada” was promoted as a match against Sourav Ganguly in Barasat, but Maradona skipped the much-hyped fixture, according to The Indian Express’s photo report. He did play football with children during the Kolkata visit; those informal kickabouts are distinct from the announced match with Ganguly (The Indian Express, December 2017).
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Advance reports described the proposed charity match and its changing arrangements. India Today covered the announced Ganguly fixture, but the post-event account is the relevant evidence for what happened on the day (India Today, December 2017).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where is the Maradona statue in Goa?
A second statue is associated with Dr Gustavo Monteiro Football Ground in Candolim, Goa. The Sporting Statues Project lists the Candolim location and estimates an unveiling in 2020, but does not provide an official installation record or current access details (The Sporting Statues Project).
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In November 2020, Daijiworld reported, citing Goa minister Michael Lobo, that a life-size statue was being made for the north Goa coastal area, with Candolim or Calangute discussed as the location. That report described the statue as weighing 350 kg; this is a reported project specification, not a verified measurement of a completed installation (Daijiworld, November 2020).
The available accounts establish a reported Goa statue connection, but do not confirm its present condition or whether visitors can access it. Check with a current local or official source before planning a visit.
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How the Kolkata and Goa statue stories differ
| Statue | Location | Depiction or reported scale | What the evidence establishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | Kolkata | Maradona lifting the 1986 World Cup trophy; reported as 12 feet tall | Contemporary reports describe its unveiling during Maradona’s December 2017 visit. |
| Goa | Dr Gustavo Monteiro Football Ground, Candolim, in the Sporting Statues Project listing | Described in 2020 reporting as life-size; 350 kg was a reported project specification | A November 2020 report described a planned statue, and a directory lists Candolim with an estimated 2020 unveiling. Current installation status and access are not confirmed. |
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