Hertha Berlin player celebrates goal in Spider-Man mask for 8-year-old fan battling cancer
March 16, 2015
Five months ago, Hertha Berlin midfielder Anis Ben-Hatira met an eight-year-old fan named Jannik. The boy was in the hospital battling Leukemia, but the pair made each other a couple of promises, which Ben-Hatira shared with an Instagram photo.
He wrote:
Jannik is 8 years old and has cancer. We decided to fight against his illness together. In such moments I realize: a healthy person has 1000 desires. A sick person just one.
Cute guy: you promised me to recover and I promised to stay on your side while the chemotherapy. I will visit you regularly.
In less than 6 month we will stand in front of the fans in the Olympic stadium and celebrate your recovery!
https://instagram.com/p/upl3W7Mvem/
The two new friends each remained committed to those promises. Jannik made progress with his recovery and Ben-Hatira kept visiting, even donning a Spider-Man mask on occasion to lift the youngster’s spirits.
https://instagram.com/p/yjgediMva7/
On Saturday, Hertha Berlin faced Schalke and Ben-Hatira scored the first goal in what would be a 2–2 draw, as he made his first appearance after returning from injury. And he celebrated by putting on the Spider-Man mask, as per Jannik’s request.
After the match Ben-Hatira’s prediction from back in October came true when he and Jannik celebrated the boy’s recovery in front of the fans at the Olympic Stadium.
A day earlier Ben-Hatira shared another message on Instagram that, fair warning, will probably make you cry. He wrote:
Hi guys,
a few month ago I introduced you to my friend Jannik. Jannik got hit by his fortune in a really bad way and he is fighting against cancer. Even thought he is a little man — he fights like Superman against his illness. Jannik puts bravery on another level and I am totally impressed by his will and strength. It was a very hard time and Jannik and his whole family suffered a lot. I tried my very best to be always on his side and luckily we can say now: there seems to be progress.
As a sign of my admiration I asked Jannik if he would do me a favor within the next weeks. I would love to enter the Olympic Stadium on his side! His braveness will be an example for all of us.
Jannik, you are my little superhero! I am blessed to be part of the moment when you enter the stage again!
Yours, Änis
And that’s how Anis Ben-Hatira became your new favorite footballer.
