Meet the Maradona-obsessed Hongkonger bringing a taste of Argentine fan fervour to the city this World Cup

If you are strolling around the city and see someone wearing an Argentina goalkeeper’s jersey – sleeves cut off in homage to Sergio Romero – chances are he is Christer Jorge Ariel Leung Chun-sing, president of the Hong Kong Argentina Football Team Supporters Club.

That is “Jorge” for Hernan Jorge Crespo and “Ariel” for Mario Ariel Bolatti, two of Argentina-obsessed Leung’s favourite footballers.

He tunes in for the country’s matches from the under-15s all the way to senior level, waits at Hong Kong International Airport for any current or former players in transit and, if you look down, you will probably see Leung’s custom blue-and-white shoes.

“My first World Cup was probably in ’86,” said Leung, who works for a sportswear manufacturer with the dream of one day helping to design an Argentina national top.

“In Hong Kong you didn’t really watch live football – we would watch a local TV show, loosely translated as ‘Football Fan World’, or my dad would record the highlights.

“I found out about Diego Maradona – that was the tournament with the Hand [of God] and the amazing goal – and that is when I started liking Argentina.”