Aslam: Maradona spread love in football world

Sheikh Mohammad Aslam is considered one of the legendary strikers of the country who played during the 1980s right until the middle of 1990s. 

It was the same time Diego Maradona mesmerized the football world. 

Here are the excerpts as the Bangladesh legend pays tribute to one of the greatest footballers of all time who passed away Wednesday at the age of 60 due to massive heart attack.

“I wonder how long it would take to have another charismatic footballer like him. He was like a bright star in the football world. He will always be up there. I hope the world prays and waits for another Maradona. He deserves billions of salutes for the becoming of Maradona after winning poverty,” said Aslam.

“He was left-footed and a player with outstanding speed, which stunned the whole world. He was a great entertainer. I salute him. We got him during our youth. We tried to learn from his game. We followed his style and tried to implement them on the pitch. But it was very difficult. It was not possible for us, but only for Maradona. He was indomitable. He was such a great footballer.

“Maradona was the talk of the world after 1986. He was a wondrous discovery at that time. People from all ages knew Maradona. Some didn’t know Brazil but they know Maradona. It was unbelievable. The generation at that time, I saw them all come and play on the field with his No 10 jersey. He enriched the football world. I hope, as long as football is here, his name is never forgotten.

“The best memory of him is the second goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. It was one of a kind. It’s not possible to score like this except for him. It was unbelievable to see him going solo to cross half the field. Everyone wanted to disturb him but he never lost patience. Throughout 90 minutes he had only one motto, to score or win for the team. It’s also difficult to have such a great leader.

“He had tremendous power. Only God knows how he got such power on the pitch. He was blessed by his mother, which made him fearless, powerful. His mother always inspired him. that he is the best and that is what he had in mind when getting into the field. It worked like a tonic in his life. He was also very emotional. 

“It’s rare to find such an emotional player. Out of passion, he made some physical gestures on the field, but there was no alternative because nobody could stop him without a foul. He was unstoppable. I would say, he is the greatest entertainer in the world. He taught love to football world with his charismatic character.

“It hurts to see him leave us suddenly. As a footballer I would say, he left the football world and millions of his fans to mourn the death. We pray for his departed soul so that he rests in peace.”