A Swedish football team is making all the right noises but not for their on-field prowess. Players belonging to a club named Kalmar AIK FK have reportedly shaved their heads to show support for their captain, Markus Heman, who is battling cancer. A video of the players shaving their heads was shared by the official Instagram handle of the Swedish side.
Another post, which highlighted the touching gesture, has now gone viral on Instagram. “Players from the Swedish football club Kalmar AIK showed their support for their captain, Markus Herman, by shaving their heads in solidarity. Check out their profile where they have set up a gofundme for Markus,” read the caption of the now-viral post.
In the video shared by the football team, Markus Heman can be seen entering the locker room and seeing his teammates in a new “look”. The gesture left Heman absolutely emotional, and he was hugged by his teammates. Players were not the only ones part of this heartwarming activity. The support staff also shaved their heads in solidarity with Heman.
Reacting to the adorable post, one Instagram user commented, “That’s a real brotherhood.”
“That’s what I say sportsmanship and brotherhood,” read another comment.
One social media user wrote, “Not a football team, that’s a team of brother.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, another person commented, “Those aren’t teammates they’re brothers.”
“Only soccer players I know are those World Cup dudes not these unknown soccers,” observed another social media.
An article shared by The 18 claimed the club announced to organise a match dedicated to Markus Heman and the team decided to open a fundraiser so that people could support the player with his treatment.
Earlier this year in March, players of the under-16 team AFC Pogmoor in Barnsley did something similar for their 15-year-old player Owen. As per a BBC report, the team decided to do a sponsored head shave so the player “didn’t feel left out”.
“I love them all to bits. I don’t know what I’d do without them,” Owen, from Rotherham, was quoted as saying.
Owen was diagnosed with cancer after guiding his team to promotion at the age of 13, the BBC article claimed.