“It’s difficult to watch my husband at the FIFA World Cup because of our kids, especially Mateo 💔
Because of his autism, I always have to make sure he’s comfortable.
When Marc Cucurella saw us in the stands, he got emotional and provided an assist 🥹⚽️”
— Claudia Cucurella
Riyad Mahrez on Lionel Messi meeting his daughter after Argentina vs Algeria:
🗣️ “After the match, I went over to Leo Messi with my daughter because meeting him had been one of her biggest dreams for years. She has watched his highlights, worn his shirts, talked about his goals, and imagined this moment so many times.”
“As a father, there are moments in life that mean more than football, more than victories, and more than anything that happens on a pitch. Watching your child experience pure happiness is something that cannot be described with words.”
“I told Leo that she had been dreaming of meeting him and taking a photo with him for such a long time, and immediately he stopped what he was doing, smiled warmly, and gave her his full attention.”
“She was so nervous that she could barely speak at first. Her hands were shaking, her eyes were full of emotion, and she looked like she couldn't believe the moment she had imagined for years was finally happening.”
“In that moment, there was no Argentina, no Algeria, no World Cup, no competition, and no rivalry. It was simply a little girl standing face-to-face with the person she had always looked up to.”
“What touched me the most was the way Leo handled the situation. He didn't rush, he didn't make it feel like an obligation, and he didn't act like a superstar. He made her feel special and comfortable.”
“He spoke to her, smiled for the photos, and treated her with so much kindness and respect. Those small gestures mean everything to children because they stay with them forever.”
“When we walked away, she couldn't stop smiling. She kept looking at the photo over and over again, almost as if she was checking whether the moment was real.”
“She kept saying, ‘Dad, I actually met Messi. I really met Messi.’ Hearing those words from my daughter was more emotional for me than people can imagine.”
“Football gives us unforgettable moments on the pitch, but for me, the most beautiful moment of the night happened after the final whistle when I watched my daughter's dream become a reality right in front of my eyes.”
A Chinese woman who has been planting trees in an Inner Mongolia desert for decades has invited an American who donated US$5,000 in 1999 to visit the area that has been turned into a forest.