Kaiser collected cassettes to watch Maradona

The length of Kaiser Hamid’s playing career almost matches with that of Diego Maradona, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 60 due to heart attack. 

One of the country’s most prolific and celebrated defenders also won his first top-tier title in Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited jersey in 1986. 

The Bangladesh legend paid homage by recalling how he experienced the magic of the global football legend at that time.

“We, at Mohammedan, became unbeaten champion in 1986. That is why the memory of 1986 World Cup is still there in mind. Although I am a Brazil supporter, he is my favorite player. I liked him as a player. He scored some outstanding goals. I also remember his emotional reaction after the 1990 World Cup final. They played really well and could have won the final. It was because of Maradona I felt bad,” said Kaiser.

“His magical skills and works of left foot, dribbling, passing and ability to score were amazing. He could turn the fate of the team with magical play.

“His lifestyle at the end was not that good because of drug addiction but it also leaves an example that drug can end anybody and no matter how much money one has, it can’t save oneself. It was like suicidal the way he spent a reckless life during the latter part of his career. He was still so much popular despite the reckless life.

“We used to watch his games by buying cassettes and there were not many anyway. I remember we collected cassettes containing videos and highlights of World Cup and other games. It was my hobby to collect cassettes to watch games on VCR.

“People will never forget how Argentina won the 1986 World Cup under his leadership. His two outstanding goals against England are still lingering in my mind, especially the one where he dribbled past half a dozen players from the halfway line. These are the best goals I’ve ever seen. His popularity increased significantly after those goals and it spread across all over the world. It’s sad to see such man leave us very early.”