FIFA/SOS ambassador Mahmoud El-Khatieb signing a poster - Photo: SOS Archives
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On 23 June 2004, El-Khatieb, who as a child played football with pebbles and tin cans, paid a visit to the SOS Children's Village in Alexandria, Egypt. After having lunch at one of the SOS family houses, the former international striker joined the children in games of football and basketball. The children received great presents in the form of footballs and cuddly toys, and all received autographs from the former football star.
Upon leaving the children's village, El-Khatieb delighted the children even further by inviting all of the children receiving care at the three SOS Children's Villages in Egypt (Alexandria, Cairo and Tanta) to visit his Cairo-based football club El Ahly. El-Khatieb was awarded the Golden Globe Award for best African Player in 1983 before ending his active football career in 1987.