Manchester City players met with children injured in the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake - even in the nerve-wracking days ahead of their historic match as they trained for the historic Champions League final.
A group of 40 children, along with their families, who have become amputees because of the horrific earthquake were invited down to the training sessions of Manchester City and Inter Milan before the grand final in Istanbul. The children got to meet the star players of both teams, getting to have conversations with their footballing heroes, taking pictures with the soon-to-be Manchester champions, and sharing special moments in the crucial hours before the unbelievable match.
During Manchester City's training session, the children came prepared with balls and memorabilia for a signature collection opportunity. The players, including Sergio Gomez, Kalvin Phillips, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, and Jake Grealish, signed their memorabilia, making their dreams come true as the children enjoyed meeting and having conversations with their footballing heroes.
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Ilkay Gündoğan even went the extra mile to ensure that every child received a signature, making for an unforgettable experience for the young football fans.
Emotional moments came as Taha Karar, a brave survivor who lost both his legs and an arm, proudly showcased the signatures on his prosthetic legs, adorned with the Fenerbahçe logo. Meanwhile, visually impaired Yusuf Kukur felt the UEFA Champions League trophy, a touching moment that will forever remain etched in his memory.
The event, titled 'Hope in Motion: Empowering Mobility for Physically Disabled Earthquake Survivors', was organised in collaboration with UEFA and aimed to raise awareness and garner donations for the rehabilitation efforts of earthquake survivors. The itinerary included a Bosphorus Tour on a sightseeing boat, visits to the Dolmabahçe Palace and the Topkapı Palace with the support of the Directorate of National Palaces of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, and a visit to the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
Manchester City will celebrate winning the Treble with an open-top bus parade on Monday, June 12.
Pep Guardiola's side completed their historic accomplishment on Saturday night when they beat Inter Milan in Istanbul. Rodri curled home the all-important winner with just over 20 minutes remaining as City secured their first Champions League trophy.
Alongside the European accolade, City also won the Premier League and the FA Cup. After such an incredible achievement, the council have announced a parade will be taking place on Monday through Manchester to celebrate.
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