The Beautiful Story Behind Moroccan Star Ismael Saibari’s Viral World Cup Hug

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Moments after Morocco sealed their round-of-16 spot at the 2026 World Cup, Ismael Saibari sprinted towards the stands at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico, searching for one person: His mother

The emotional video quickly went viral, with thousands calling it the most heartwarming moment of the tournament.

Fuelled by the adrenaline of scoring the winning penalty, Saibari shared a tearful embrace with her.

While many online saw a touching celebration, those familiar with Saibari's story witnessed something far more extraordinary.

Saibari was born with a congenital deformity that left his feet turned severely inwards, making walking impossible without assistance

"Yes, my feet were turned very far inward, so I had to wear a special device," Saibari shared in a 2024 interview.

"Even doctors told my parents that maybe I would not be able to walk properly for the rest of my life," he said, adding that his mother refused to give up.

"My mother only prayed that I could live a normal life. But thanks to God, now I have normal feet and a healthy body".

Saibari recovered by wearing restrictive orthopedic braces for over a year to force his bones into alignment.

The family also endured hardship when the 2007 financial crisis hit Spain, forcing a move to Belgium when Saibari was 6

Yet, his passion never waned, driving his journey to the World Cup stage.

On the night of 29 June, his mother watched the boy, who doctors believed would never walk properly, running to her after securing a historic victory against European heavyweights, the Netherlands.

Morocco had trailed by a goal before the team equalised in the dying minutes, courtesy of a header from Issa Diop. The match then went to penalties, where Saibari scored at the crucial spot.

Watch the sweet moment unfold here: