The Salt Lake Stadium looked resplendent on Friday evening.
The lush green turf, seats with a fresh coat of paint, the glare of the floodlights.
In the middle of the field, the Brazilians formed a circle and did some stretching exercises to loosen their muscles.
Even the Brazilian team officials and media personnel looked in awe, marvelling at the stadium, and they come from a nation which has the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The newly-elected state government has spent around ₹6-7 crore for the improvement of the facilities, which saw a major face lift, done by Mamata Banerjee’s government, before the 2017 Under-17 Fifa World Cup.
The stadium was first made open to spectators during the 1984 Nehru International Gold Cup when the Left Front government was calling the shots.
Since then, it has hosted a slew of big matches and events. Oliver Kahn’s farewell match, Diego Maradona’s visit, Pele witnessing an ISL match, Lionel Messi’s Argentina playing a friendly against Venezuela, and of course the Messi mayhem last December. Marquee events have ensured a full house at the stadium.