Diego Maradona’s Indian driver in UAE in tears after legend’s death
Diego Maradona’s Indian driver in UAE in tears after legend’s death
As the rest of the world mourns the death of football legend Diego Maradona, his passing away has struck a much deeper chord and created a void for this Indian driver in Dubai.
Sulaiman Nellisserry, a Kerala native who was Maradona’s driver for eight years when the latter was a UAE resident, was left shattered on Wednesday night when he saw a television channel flashing news of the football legend’s death.
“I worked for him for eight long years. To him, I was Sulee and I would address him as Diego. He was a genuinely nice person with a very kind heart and I am deeply indebted to him for everything I have now,” said Sulaiman. “I was able to build a house in my native place in Malappuram, Kerala, thanks to the support extended by him,” he added.
The last time the 36-year-old Dubai expat spoke to the football icon was on October 30 this year. “I wished him well on his 60th birthday. He was very cheerful when I called him and ended the conversation saying he missed me a lot,” Sulaiman told Khaleej Times.
When Sulaiman heard the news of his death, he reached out to Maradona’s daughter Ginannina on WhatsApp who confirmed it. Sulaiman and the rest of his family are coming to terms with what feels like a "personal loss".
’I will never forget the first meeting’
Sulaiman, a former employee of the Al Wasl Club, recalled when he met Maradona for the first time after he was asked to pick him from the airport on August 11, 2011. “I will never forget that meeting. He had just arrived in Dubai to start his coaching stint with Al-Wasl. In the early days, he wouldn’t speak much,” reminisced Sulaiman.
A week after his arrival, Maradona moved to a villa near the club’s headquarters. “Though the coaching stint lasted only one year, he (Maradona) put in a request with Dubai Sports Council to have me continue working with him as he was appointed as their ambassador for three years. Between 2012 and 2016, he stayed back in Dubai, however, he wasn’t working,” said Sulaiman.
In 2016- 2017, Maradona became the coach of Fujairah before leaving at the end of the season. “We would drive to Fujairah and return every day. That’s how I ended up working with him for eight years,” he pointed out.
The two had a communication barrier in the early stages of their working relationship. “I spoke some broken English and he only spoke Spanish and Italian. We needed the help of his Egyptian translator. Sometimes, when he wanted something, he would show me a picture of what he was looking for on Google and I would get it for him,” Sulaiman said.
He had a weakness for chocolates Sulaiman said Maradona could not live without Cuban cigars and chocolates.
“He was like a small child. He loved chocolates like Kinder Joy and small candies. Every morning, he would train at the ground nearby, where he would practice dribbling and other soccer drills in the villa grounds as well,” he added.
“In the eight years I worked with him, he was always kind and happy and treated us all (his employees) very well. Once, when my mother was sick, I had to fly home to Kerala and he called me on video chat and wished my mother well. He met with my sister and wife and kids when they visited,” he said. “Once when our car had a flat tyre late at night in Fujairah, he got out and helped me fix it,” he added.
“I last saw him in May 2018. He gave me a recommendation letter when he left. That letter will be something I will treasure all my life,” said Sulaiman. The two stayed in touch over WhatsApp messages for the last two years.
Please note that under 66A of the IT Act, sending offensive or menacing messages through electronic communication service and sending false messages to cheat, mislead or deceive people or to cause annoyance to them is punishable. It is obligatory on kemmannu.com to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request. Hence, sending offensive comments using kemmannu.com will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Kemmannu.com be held responsible.
Similarly, Kemmannu.com reserves the right to edit / block / delete the messages without notice any content received from readers.
Rozaricho Gaanch April, 2024 - Ester issue
Final Journey Of Theresa D’Souza (79 years) | LIVE From Kemmannu | Udupi |
Invest Smart and Earn Big!
Creating a World of Peaceful Stay!
For the Future Perfect Life that you Deserve! Contact : Rohan Corporation, Mangalore.
Final Journey Of Joe Victor Lewis (46 years) | LIVE From Kemmannu | Organ Donor | Udupi |
Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Udupi - Parish Bulletin - Feb 2024 Issue
Easter Vigil 2024 | Holy Saturday | St. Theresa’s Church, Kemmannu, Udupi | LIVE
Way Of Cross on Good Friday 2024 | Live From | St. Theresa’s Church, Kemmannu, Udupi | LIVE
Good Friday 2024 | St. Theresa’s Church, Kemmannu | LIVE | Udupi
2 BHK Flat for sale on the 6th floor of Eden Heritage, Santhekatte, Kallianpur, Udupi
Maundy Thursday 2024 | LIVE From St. Theresa’s Church, Kemmannu | Udupi |
Kemmennu for sale 1 BHK 628 sqft, Air Conditioned flat
Symphony98 Releases Soul-Stirring Rendition of Lenten Hymn "Khursa Thain"
Palm Sunday 2024 at St. Theresa’s Church, Kemmannu | LIVE
Final Journey of Patrick Oliveira (83 years) || LIVE From Kemmannu
Carmel School Science Exhibition Day || Kmmannu Channel
Final Journey of Prakash Crasta | LIVE From Kemmannu || Kemmannu Channel
ಪ್ರಗತಿ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಮಹಾ ಸಂಘ | ಸ್ತ್ರೀಯಾಂಚ್ಯಾ ದಿಸಾಚೊ ಸಂಭ್ರಮ್ 2024 || ಸಾಸ್ತಾನ್ ಘಟಕ್
Valentine’s Day Special❤️||Multi-lingual Covers || Symphony98 From Kemmannu
Rozaricho Gaanch December 2023 issue, Mount Rosary Church Santhekatte Kallianpur, Udupi
An Ernest Appeal From Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Diocese of Udupi
Diocese of Udupi - Uzvd Decennial Special Issue
Final Journey Of Canute Pinto (52 years) | LIVE From Mount Rosary Church | Kallianpura | Udupi
Earth Angels Anniversary | Comedy Show 2024 | Live From St. Theresa’s Church | Kemmannu | Udupi
Confraternity Sunday | St. Theresa’s Church, Kemmannu
Kemmannu Cricket Match 2024 | LIVE from Kemmannu
Naturya - Taste of Namma Udupi - Order NOW
New Management takes over Bannur Mutton, Santhekatte, Kallianpur. Visit us and feel the difference.
Focus Studio, Near Hotel Kidiyoor, Udupi
Earth Angels - Kemmannu Since 2023
Kemmannu Channel - Ktv Live Stream - To Book - Contact Here
Click here for Kemmannu Knn Facebook Link