Ballon d’Or Winner’s Heartfelt Gesture: Football Stars Rally for Comatose Prodigy

The day after his Ballon d’Or consecration, French international Ousmane Dembélé took the time to send a message of support to the former Dutch football prodigy of Moroccan origin, Abdelhak Nouri. It was the latter’s father, Mohamed Nouri, who revealed this gesture, speaking of a video call that testifies to the strong bond between the two players.

"Ousmane Dembélé has once again shown his human side," said Mohamed Nouri on the Al3omk website. He explained that the French player "always inquires about Abdelhak’s condition". Their relationship goes back several years, the two players being in the habit of praying together during football events. Dembélé had also already shown his support by wearing the number 34, Nouri’s number, on his shoes when he played for FC Barcelona.

Ousmane Dembélé’s support is part of a broader wave of solidarity from the world of football that has not diminished since the accident. Nouri’s father confirmed that he is in contact with many players, such as the Dutchman Steven Berghuis who wears the number 34 in his honor at Al-Ittihad, or Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté, who have also expressed their support.

This movement of sympathy follows the tragedy that occurred on July 8, 2017. During a friendly match, Abdelhak Nouri, then a promising young talent from Ajax Amsterdam, had collapsed on the field, victim of a cardiac arrest. The serious and permanent brain damage due to lack of oxygen plunged him into a coma for nearly three years. Today, although he is awake, his interaction with his entourage remains limited.

For Mohamed Nouri, these gestures of solidarity are a source of comfort. "Hamdullah, such things delight us," he confided, warmly thanking Ousmane Dembélé for "this attention that reflects his personal qualities and authenticity" and calling for prayers for the recovery of his son.

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