"Soccer unites the world. The FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 proved this once again, if the great atmosphere that prevailed throughout the competition is anything to go by. The FIFA Legends demonstrated this again on 10 and 11 February, before the Real Madrid - Al Hilal final.
Former Atlas Lion Houssine Kharja, former French international Laura Georges and 1998 world champion Christian Karembeu visited the Lalla Meriem Orphanage in the heart of the Moroccan capital. Inaugurated in 2021 by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Amina, this establishment is a reception center affiliated with the Moroccan League for Child Protection, which has been taking care of abandoned children, some of whom are physically or mentally handicapped, since 1954.
The trio of champions shared a moment of softness and lightness with them. Gifts, hugs, drawings, games, and soccer, of course, were on the menu of the visit of this orphanage, which has set itself the goal of improving the living conditions and care of its residents. This Saturday was a complete success.
The day before, Houssine Kharja was accompanied by Zico and Sávio Bortolini, Brazilian soccer legends, as well as former French international Mikaël Silvestre. A visit to the pediatric hematology and oncology department of the Rabat Children's Hospital was on the agenda of their day.
This magic square had a long exchange with the young patients treated mainly for cancers and benign blood diseases. The four FIFA Legends also spoke with the doctors and nurses who manage the healing process.
"It is important that soccer gives hope to children in all circumstances and in all walks of life," explained Houssine Kharja after the two visits. "We have met many courageous children in the last few days and we admire the way they face the challenges they face. We hope that through soccer we can bring happiness to all of them because they are our future."
The smiles that lit up the children's faces throughout these visits can guarantee that.
