In the locker room, prosthetics line the floor; players come straight from rehab and a one-armed goalkeeper proves he can still stop shots; Oz Moalem followed Israel’s amputee soccer team for a special projectOz Moalem|They enter the locker room at the national teams’ complex in Shefayim and get ready for practice. It is a lively, upbeat locker room made up of Jews, Arabs and new immigrants, but everyone sees one another at crutch level. “At Ichilov, I’m king,” Shlomo, one of the players, jokes, drawing laughter. “I can get you an appointment whenever you want,” he adds, reminding everyone what really matters here.9 View gallery Israel’s amputee soccer team (Photo: Oz Moalem)Michael, 8, was born in South Africa with a rare defect and underwent an amputation when he was just 1. His mother, Maor, says: “In rehab, they recommended sports activity, and I didn’t know what would suit Michael because, as a mother, I was a little afraid. His other leg is not amputated, but it underwent many surgeries to save it. So I was always worried about him, but over time, Sharon and Tzach helped me learn to let go.“Soccer is everything to Michael. He has developed a lot through soccer, and his physical condition has improved greatly. He wasn’t like this before. Michael was bent over, limping, he could barely walk. Every two minutes of walking, he would say, ‘Mom, I have to rest, I need to sit.’ He didn’t believe how much ability he had. He is flourishing in soccer. If you ask him today what he wants to be when he grows up, he’ll say Ronaldo.”9 View gallery Yehuda (Photo: Oz Moalem)How much has it helped him socially?