New Delhi - Thousands of football-crazy fans lined the streets of the eastern Indian metropolis Kolkata on Saturday to welcome Diego Maradona, news reports said.

The Argentinian football legend is on a three-day trip to India's football capital to lay the foundation stone of the Indian Football School.

The 48-year-old newly appointed coach of Argentina, who was accompanied by his girlfriend Veronica, seemed pleased though a bit nonplussed by the response of his Indian fans, PTI news agency and NDTV television channel reported.

An estimated 30,000 people lined the streets leading from the airport to the hotel and a 5000-strong contingent of policemen had a hard time controlling the crowd.

Fans surged on to the street, waving and chanting "Diego, Diego," as Maradona's coach rolled slowly to the hotel.

Maradona stood up from his seat in the coach, clapped, blew kisses and waved at the crowd.

Fans sporting the football legend's number 10 jersey in Argentinian colours, waved Argentinian flags and banners saying: "Diego you are the god of football."

Maradona was later flown from his hotel by helicopter to the venue of the foundation stone laying ceremony in the outskirts of Kolkata.

One hundred children displayed their skills with the football and sang songs to welcome Maradona. "If football is religion, then you are its god," the band sang.

"Best wishes. India is far off from my country. But I had no idea I have so many fans here," Maradona said in a brief speech.

"I had no idea that such beautiful football is played here, people love football so much. Long live India," he said.

"I come from a country which is close to Fidel Castro and Che Guevara," Maradona added. Kolkata is capital of India's West Bengal state and has been governed for two decades by a left alliance.

"This was a lifetime opportunity for me to see Maradona. He is the world's best footballer," a fan, Shankar Maitro, said.

A 70-year-old, who came with his grandson to catch a glimpse of the footballer, said: "I used to play football before this little genius was born. I wanted to see him once in my life. I am happy that my wish is fulfilled today."

Maradona is scheduled to be felicitated at a grand ceremony at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium later Saturday. (dpa)