It began with pure innocence, a little boy sitting outside Liverpool’s training ground, clutching a handmade sign, hoping for just a photo with his heroes. That little boy was Isaac Kearney, and eighteen months later, his wildest dreams would come true in ways no one could have imagined.
Fast forward to Christmas Day 2024, and Isaac wasn’t just getting photos anymore. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were picking him up from school, taking selfies, and treating him like family. What happened in between is a story that has touched over 122 million people across the globe.
This is how it started… Sitting outside the training ground with his little sign asking for a photo ❤️ Little did we know, 18 months later they would be picking him up from school and taking selfies 🫶🏻…… Lucky boy ✨
Who Is Isaac Kearney? Meet Liverpool’s Smallest Superfan
Isaac Kearney, now seven years old, isn’t your typical football fan. Born on February 2, 2018, with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome—a rare genetic condition that affects development—Isaac has faced challenges that would break many spirits. But not his.
This brave little lad from Kirkby, just nine miles northeast of Liverpool city center, has become a symbol of hope, resilience, and pure joy. His infectious personality and unwavering love for Liverpool FC have made him a social media sensation, with over 1.8 million TikTok followers and 852,000 Instagram fans hanging on his every smile.
The Magic of Christmas Day 2024
Picture this: Isaac is at Northwood Primary School, innocently playing snakes and ladders with his classmates. Suddenly, Virgil van Dijk walks through the door.
“I’m looking for someone who is a big, big Liverpool fan and loves to play the guitar… I think his name is Isaac,” the Dutch captain announces.
Isaac’s hand shoots up. Then Mohamed Salah appears. Isaac’s casual response? “Hi Salah!” as if greeting football royalty was just another Tuesday.
What followed was nothing short of magical. The two Liverpool legends whisked Isaac away to the AXA Training Centre, where he met manager Arne Slot and the entire first-team squad. He watched his heroes train, posed for countless photos, and lived every moment he’d dreamed about while strumming his toy guitar at home.
But the pinnacle? Walking out onto the hallowed Anfield turf as a mascot alongside Virgil van Dijk before Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Manchester City. As 60,000 fans roared and the famous “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem echoed through the stadium, Isaac took it all in stride—literally, walking confidently beside his hero.
More Than Just a Fan, A Voice for Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome
Isaac’s story isn’t just about football. It’s about awareness, hope, and the power of community. His Christmas Day video has been viewed over 122 million times, generating more than 12 million social media engagements and sparking a five-year high in Google searches for Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is caused by a deletion of genetic material on the fourth chromosome, resulting in developmental delays and various medical challenges. For families dealing with this condition, resources and support can feel scarce. But Isaac has changed that narrative.
His mum, Melissa, has been overwhelmed by messages from families worldwide. “Many said they didn’t feel like there was a lot of support out there for people with the condition and it was all quite doom and gloom, but that changed when they saw Isaac living his dream,” she shared.
Even celebrities like Stormzy and Khloe Kardashian reached out to celebrate Isaac’s moment, while rival football fans put allegiances aside to support this remarkable little boy.
