Ismael Saibari's Doctors Once Said He 'May Never Walk', Inside Star Player's Heartbreaking Story

As Morocco made their mark in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, the entire team and fans immediately began celebrating. However, Ismael Saibari ran straight to someone in the stands at the Estadio Monterrey in Mexico. While the stadium was roaring with cheers, Saibari found his mother, who had always had his back, in the stands. He hugged his crying mother before showering her with forehead kisses.

The tender moment left everyone emotional. Nonetheless, did you know there was a time when Saibari's parents were told that he might never walk?

Ismael Saibari hugs his crying mother in a heartfelt moment after Morocco's big win at FIFA 2026

While Ismael Saibari's teammates celebrated wildly with each other, the star player only had one person on his mind: his mother. He immediately b-lined to his mom in the stands and hugged her. Saibari was evidently overwhelmed after scoring the winning penalty, while his mother could not stop crying as her son scored the big goal. The video has since gone viral across social media, with thousands calling it one of the most emotional moments of the tournament.

For many, it was simply a touching celebration between a son and his mother. However, there was a past far deeper than that. And for those who know Saibari's story, those tears carried the weight of an entire childhood and years of fear, faith, sacrifice and hope. So, let's take a look at Saibari's struggles.

Ismael Saibari's parents were told he might never walk

According to reports, Ismael Saibari was born with a congenital deformity in both feet. His feet turned so far inward that, as a baby and toddler, he could not walk without support and needed a brace-like device just to stand, let alone move. Saibari recalled his struggle to walk as a kid in a candid interview in 2024, and said:

"Yeah, my feet were extremely on the inside, so I had to wear a machine. And the doctors even said to my parents that maybe I couldn't walk properly for the rest of my life. My mother just prayed for me that I could have a normal life, you know. It wasn't even necessary to be a football player or something. But yeah, thank God I now have normal feet and a normal healthy body."

It took several orthopaedic devices, repeated treatments and months of persistent hard work for Ismael Saibari to finally be up on his feet. And all that was because his mother had decided she would do anything to give her son a normal life. However, Saibari didn't take his first step until he was two years old.

Nonetheless, high-spirited even as a child, once he could walk, he wanted to run, and once he could run, he wanted a ball at his feet. He started kicking a ball around with local youth teams in Terrassa, Spain, where the family lived at the time. However, his journey even after that was anything but a walk in the park.

In 2007, the financial crisis shook up Spain's economy and had a clear impact on Ismael Saibari's household. He recalled how his family had to pack up and move again at the age of six to survive. He stated:

"My father transported goods, but he was afraid of losing his job, and even though my mother had her own shop and made excellent bread, we couldn't live on that alone."

Ismael Saibari's story is a reminder of how dedication can often change the course of life. So, when his mother hugged him in tears after he defeated one of the strongest teams in football, it wasn't just a game but payback for their years of effort and a gentle reminder of how far he had come from being the little boy the doctor said would never walk.

What are your thoughts on Ismael Saibari's story?

image credit: 433/IG, IsmaelSaibari/IG

Next Read: Collin Gosselin's Stepmom, Colleen's Sweet Reaction To His Heartfelt Note Surfaces, 'Made Me Cry..'

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)