The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was a historic event on many levels. It was the first World Cup held in the Middle East, and despite controversies over the host nation‘s human rights record and treatment of migrant workers, it produced thrilling soccer and unforgettable moments on the pitch.
One of the biggest stories of the tournament was Morocco‘s incredible run to the semifinals. The Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the final four of a World Cup. Along the way, they knocked off European powerhouses like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, becoming the pride of Africa and the Middle East.
| Opponent | Round | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Group Stage | W 2-0 |
| Spain | Round of 16 | D 0-0 (W 3-0 on penalties) |
| Portugal | Quarterfinals | W 1-0 |
| France | Semifinals | L 0-2 |
Morocco‘s historic 2022 World Cup results. (Data: FIFA)
However, Morocco‘s fairy tale story took an unfortunate turn when a video went viral of a young Moroccan girl mocking Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal‘s loss. In the clip, the girl, giddy from her country‘s win, says "Portugal airport is that way. And where‘s Ronaldo? He‘s crying in his car, poor Ronaldo."
The backlash was swift and merciless. Comments poured in attacking the girl and Moroccans with vitriol. "That kid is so annoying bruh. Mbappe will go crazy against Morocco," read one reply. "This completely changes my view of Moroccans. Your ego is gonna be your demise," said another. The angry responses piled on, with some going so far as to seemingly revel in Morocco‘s eventual semifinal loss to France.
Amid the firestorm, the girl‘s mother released an apology video explaining the situation. She shared that her daughter is only 9 years old and was simply mimicking the chants she heard from other fans, without really understanding who Ronaldo is or the meaning of her words.
"She is only 9 years old. She was simply repeating the phrases she heard from the other fans in the celebration. She didn‘t mean any harm," the mother explained, according to translations provided by multiple news outlets.
The mom went on to plead for empathy and forgiveness from those attacking her daughter online. "My daughter is going through a difficult psychological state right now. She has refused to eat or speak because of all the hateful comments," the mother said. "Please consider her as your little sister. She didn‘t realize the impact of her words."
This incident is a microcosm of the perils of our digital age, especially for children. Social media can be a toxic swamp, with cancel culture and cyberbullying running rampant. It‘s all too easy for a child‘s foolish mistake to be amplified to the world and met with unforgiving backlash.
Consider these sobering statistics:
- 59% of U.S. teens have experienced cyberbullying or online harassment
- 1 in 5 tweens (age 9-12) say they have been cyberbullied
- Around 37% of youth between 12 and 17 have suffered online abuse
- 70% of teens say cyberbullying is a major problem for their age group
Data sources: Pew Research, Enough.org, Cyberbullying Research Center
No child deserves to face the kind of vitriol and bile spewed at this 9-year-old Moroccan girl for a fleeting moment of childish taunting. The glee with which some adults dogpiled on a child and used her mistake to attack an entire nationality is disturbing. It‘s a stark example of how social media can bring out the worst in people.
As a tech expert, I‘ve seen firsthand how online anonymity and virality can magnify our darkest impulses. The instant, public nature of social platforms makes it easy to post in anger without pausing to consider the human on the other end of the screen. We all need to do better in modeling digital citizenship and encouraging more empathy in online spaces.
The mother‘s apology video is a poignant plea for grace and understanding. It‘s also a reminder of the challenges of parenting in the digital age, trying to navigate a world where a child‘s every word and action can be instantly broadcast and scrutinized.
There are lessons here for all of us. Lessons about forgiveness, about having empathy for others, about recognizing that children make mistakes and their errors shouldn‘t define or destroy them.
Research has shown that forgiveness is vital for both mental and physical health. According to the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, forgiveness can lead to:
- Healthier relationships
- Greater psychological well-being
- Less anxiety, stress, and hostility
- Lower blood pressure
- Fewer symptoms of depression
- Stronger immune system
- Improved heart health
- Higher self-esteem
In one study, researchers found that "forgiveness interventions" resulted in greater reductions in anxiety, depression, and hostility compared to alternative treatments. Another study discovered that forgiveness exercises led to improved cardiovascular and nervous system function.
Clearly, embracing forgiveness isn‘t just a moral good – it‘s a pathway to mental and physical wellness. And it‘s a skill we should be teaching and modeling for our children. Kids aren‘t born understanding empathy and forgiveness; it‘s something they learn through observing the adults in their lives.
In an ideal world, the Moroccan girl‘s mother‘s apology would be met with understanding and grace. It would be a chance to showcase the power of forgiveness, to emphasize that a child‘s momentary lapse in judgment shouldn‘t subject them to an unrelenting barrage of hate.
Sadly, in our imperfect world, the reactions were mixed. Some responded to the mother‘s plea with compassion, recognizing the harm being done to a child. But others doubled down on their anger and continued to attack a 9-year-old.
It‘s unfortunate that this is what a child might learn about our world from their first brush with viral fame – that people can be cruel and unforgiving, that mistakes get magnified and punished without mercy.
But there‘s another path. We can choose to build a better world, online and off, for the next generation. A world where empathy and understanding are the default, where we assume the best in others and respond to mistakes with compassion rather than condemnation.
The Moroccan team‘s World Cup run was a unifying force of pride for Africa and the Arab world. In the end, their loss to France brought out the best in both sides, with displays of sportsmanship and camaraderie between the teams. French star Kylian Mbappé embraced Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, his close friend and teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, trading jerseys in a poignant sign of respect.
That is the path forward. Taking the high road of empathy, celebrating our shared humanity beyond petty grievances. Rising above the fray of online outrage to model kindness and digital citizenship for our children.
If we adults can learn to be more like Mbappé and Hakimi – finding connection and friendship across divides, celebrating achievements, and moving past defeats with grace – then maybe the kids will follow our lead. Maybe the next generation will grow up in a world just a little less hateful and unforgiving.
It starts with one mother‘s apology and our collective willingness to forgive the impulsive words of a child caught up in an emotional moment. It starts with extending more empathy to a 9-year-old girl who made a mistake on a world stage.
From one viral video, we have the chance to build a more compassionate world. Let‘s take it.
