Child from NE Syria joins Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Mahmoud Khalaf from Qamishli in Germany club-North Press
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Akram Khalaf, a resident of the city of Qamishli, waits anxiously for his son’s final test results to join Spanish Real Madrid League.
The child Mahmoud Khalaf, who was born in Qamishli on April 4, 2009 in Jam’ayah neighborhood, east of the city, reached the final tests to join the league after passing tests in the city of Cologne in Germany.
Mahmoud’s family, like other Syrian families, left Syria due to the security situation, seeking a better future and a decent life.
Mahmoud’s father, Akram, told North Press he noticed his son’s passion for football since he was at a very young age as his uncle supported him.
In the beginning of the Syrian war and its impacts amidst the presence of extremist groups in northeastern Syria as well as military conflicts, Akram said, “I realized that we must leave to the unknown, searching for a better life.”
Journey to Berlin
In 2018, the journey started first heading to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), Turkey then “we sailed all the way to Italy heading to the city of Hanover in Germany.”
He added, “When we reached Germany, coronavirus pandemic began to spread, halting aspects of life across Germany.”
After securing a house, the father, at first, though that his son should join one of the football teams in order to achieve his dream to gain the title of the best footballer.
Early steps towards the dream
The father registered Mahmoud to play in a local football team, saying “the team cared about my son, but every time the coach used to tell me that Mahmoud should be trained in a more professional club.”
Mahmoud moved to the well-known Armenian Club in Hanover, after that his name was inserted for having Real Madrid club’s tests in Germany.
The first test was in Cologne, then a city nearby Hanover, where 53 players gathered for the test.
Mahmoud and another German child were chosen for the test.
The father said, “Later on, they contacted me by email, informing me that Mahmoud was chosen to go to Real Madrid in Spain.”
Despite the child’s family great joy, they were faced with an obstacle, for not having a passport Mahmoud was not permitted to move to Spain since his family obtained a humanitarian residency.
This type of residency allowed the family to move only across Germany.
The father said, “Human rights organizations defensed my son, and we went through hard times, fearing that Mahmoud loses the chance.”
Thanks God, the matter has been settled, and now he is in Spain, inside the Real Madrid League camp.”
As a tribute, Mahmoud’s story of success was turned into a book taught at Hanover University.
The father and coaches hope Muhmoud plays for the German national team.