Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia has made a name for himself ahead of the World Cup – with a sweet gesture that showed his compassionate side.
As Morocco lined up against Slovakia for a pre-tournament game, the heavens opened.
The Juventus defender, also a dad of four, used his team’s pennant as a makeshift umbrella for the child mascot who was standing in front of him.
Photo du jour 📸👏 pic.twitter.com/yrifMv7N8a
— Maroc (@EnMaroc) June 4, 2018
The gesture was praised across social media as people shared various versions of the image, and TV screengrabs.
Such a lovely photo. I LOVE THIS GAME! https://t.co/HcYO41wRfP
— 4th Lion (@PodaSipsu) June 5, 2018
Love it! https://t.co/LMObsQDwrj
— Eric Napoli (@ericnapoli) June 5, 2018
Good Guy Benatia https://t.co/rVevzBmsLu
— 𝑮 (@JGillibrandcom) June 5, 2018
This game is beautiful. https://t.co/PirSD40d5G
— 👑 Nuel. (@amcalled_nuel) June 5, 2018
In other pictures, Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, stood next to Benatia, is seen with his un-gloved hands over the head of his young charge.
Awww. More pussycats than Atlas Lions.
The action did no harm to Morocco’s World Cup preparations. They went on to beat Slovakia 2-1 and will face Estonia next.
Morocco’s first World Cup match is against Iran on June 15.
Meanwhile, Benatia is a name we might be hearing more of when the Premier League restarts. He’s a rumoured transfer target for Arsenal.
