Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo pleads for Lebanese lad orphaned in ISIS suicide bomber to be allowed to live in UK
Footie superstar is backing four-year-old lad who lost his parents following bomb attack in Beirut
FOOTIE superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is backing a four-year-old lad orphaned by an IS bomb attack in his battle to move to Britain.
Haidar Mustafa was three when a suicide bomber blew up his parents’ truck in Beirut, Lebanon, in November 2015.
He survived after mum Leila, 29, shielded him as she and husband Hessein were blown up.
Last night Real Madrid ace Ronaldo told The Sun on Sunday he has backed the plan for Haidar, now four, to come to the UK.
Haidar’s story spread around the world and when Real discovered he was a fan they arranged for him to meet his hero.
Haidar’s uncle Mohammad and his wife, who live in central London, have launched moves to raise him here as part of their family.
Mohammad, 45, said: “Haidar has been through hell. We hope authorities will let us bring him up as part of our family. The only thing that would make him happier than meeting Ronaldo is being a British citizen.”
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Ronaldo, 31, asked The Sun on Sunday to send a message to Haidar, saying: “I am happy to hear you are well and wish you all the best for your future wherever you may live. Follow your dreams and work hard to make them come true.”
Waiter Mohammad and wife Layal, of Westminster, have been made his guardians by Lebanese courts and have formally applied for him to have the right to live here and grow up with their three sons.
Last week Mohammad, who came to the UK from Beirut in 1991, submitted a “leave to remain” application to the British consulate in Beirut. A ruling is expected within a fortnight.
Mohammad, who rushed to Beirut after the bombing, said: “When I saw Haidar the first thing he asked for was his Real Madrid shirt. He and his dad were huge fans.” Weeks later Haidar and
Mohammad were flown to Spain as Real guests. Video of Haidar meeting Ronaldo went viral.
Mohammad said: “When Ronaldo came to see Haidar, his face erupted in joy. Cristiano was so lovely to him.”
Lawyer Richard Roberts, of London firm Cromwell Wilkes who are assisting the family with Haidar’s plight, said: “Haidar’s case is one of the most heart-rending I have been involved in.
"But it’s not just about the emotions of the case. I believe it is also right in law that he should be allowed to live in Britain with his closest relatives.
"We hope and trust that the authorities will deliver a just outcome.”