The Palestinian boy who wanted to be like Ronaldo, killed by Israel

Like kids the world over, Naji al-Baba dreamed of becoming an international football player, “just like Ronaldo”.

But – like his name, which means “survivor” – that was not to be the fate of a boy born in the occupied West Bank.

Tall for a 14-year-old, Naji was always smiling and his family remember his kindness, calmness and helpfulness to everyone around him.

He was passionate about football – practising for hours at the sports club in Halhul, just north of Hebron.

A normal boy who loved to knock a football around with the neighbourhood children after school.His mother, Samahar al-Zamara, remembers the moment she realised Naji had grown taller than her and how he never refused a request from a friend or loved one

“He grew up before his age,” the 40-year-old says. “When he left us, I felt that I lost a part of me that we’ll never get back.”

One month ago, Naji was killed by Israeli soldiers while he was doing the thing he loved – playing football with his friends.

“I went in the morning to work in Bethlehem and Naji went to school. When I returned from work at 12 noon, I found Naji near his school, leaving for home. He got into the truck with me to return home together.”

Naji’s sisters had prepared his favourite meal – molokhia with chicken – for lunch. Afterwards, he asked his father to let him go out to play with his friends near his grandfather’s grocery store, which is close to their home.

Naji was the fifth of six children, after Sondos, 23; Bashir, 21; Amira, 20; and Mohammed, 16; and ahead of Rataj, 13.