The most treasured striker of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Diego Forlan, arrived to loud cheers from hundreds of waiting football aficionados here on Friday morning.
The Uruguayan, who won the Golden Ball for his exceptional scoring ability that saw his country finish fourth in South Africa, is on a three-day visit to the city on the invitation of a private television channel.
Forlan, whose arrival follows the visit of two former Brazilian stars Romario and Branco, is scheduled to take part in a soccer reality show organised by the newly launched entertainment channel Mahuaa Bangla.
Surrounded by hordes of private security guards Forlan was kept way from the jostling crowd, who had waited for hours outside the Netaji Subhas International Airport for a glimpse of the star.
This is the first time an international soccer star is visiting the city just weeks after being selected the best player in a World Cup.
Sporting a white collarless t-shirt, Forlan waived to his admirers before being escorted to a city hotel. Forlan was scheduled to spend the first day of his visit weathering off the jet lag after a long 28 hour journey from Montevideo via Sao Paulo, Johannesburg and Dubai.
The 31-year-old striker, who scored five goals in the World Cup, would be shooting for the talent-hunt show on Saturday, according to the organisers.
Forlan would also be present during an exhibition match between an eleven selected from the show and Mohun Bagan XI. Forlan would be leaving the city early on Monday.
