Barcelona invite Florida shooting victim to Camp Nou
Photo Credit: www.hindustantimes.com
By Israel Igiri
Spanish club, FC Barcelona have invited Anthony Borges, one of the victims of last month’s Florida school shooting, to meet the first-team squad before taking part in a game at Camp Nou once he has recovered.
The Catalan club also offered their own medical team to aid the recovery of Borges, who was shot five times as he saved the lives of 20 of his fellow students at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14.
Borges, 15, was shot in his legs and back as he barricaded a classroom door to protect others as the assailant opened fire in a situation which claimed the lives of 17 people.
In a phone call with Borges’ father earlier this week, the club have subsequently invited Borges to the city to meet the players and have sent a signed first-time shirt to the hospital where he has undergone extensive surgery.
In a statement released by the club, “It was journalist Santiago Segurola who set things in motion, informing the club of the situation. We immediately offered the support of our own medical services to help ensure that Anthony gets all the surgery he needs to get back to enjoying one of his greatest passions, playing soccer as soon as possible.”
It would be recalled that Borges, whose family is from Venezuela, spent two months playing for the club’s academy in Lauderhili, near Fort Lauderale, in 2016.
Borges’ father, Royer, who could not hide his emotions, said the gesture was unexpected. “I thank Barca for all their support and for going to all this trouble to help cheer up my son.
He never expected the club to do this. Neither did I. when he was about to go in for surgery, by chance I heard the voicemail, because I could not receive calls, and put the phone on loudspeaker so he could hear the message. He was smiling so much.”
Through their social media channels, Barcelona are now encouraging people to donate to help cover the cost of the teenager’s medical bills which is worth $700,000.
