It was all contagious smiles and overwhelming excitement at an otherwise sombre environment when five Juventus players forfeited their football boots to visit sick children at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday.

Pavel Nedved, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Nicola Legrottaglie, Antonio Nocerino and Zdenek Grygera, accompanied by team manager Gianluca Pessotto, probably got more than they had bargained for when keen fans infiltrated the wards and they had to stop practically every two paces to sign autographs and pose for photos.

Mobile phone cameras were on overdrive as the five players found the time to visit the patients in what they probably expected to be a private, low-key event, with a philanthropic aim, but for which they received yet another warm welcome from the locals.

The two policemen who made up the hospital security - enough on a normal day but not when it is invaded by unlikely visitors - were unaware of the unannounced arrival of the Bianconeri until an hour before. But things ran relatively smoothly, despite their makeshift arrangements and the convergence of supporters from every angle.

On their arrival, the players joked among each other as they were led down a never-ending corridor in the hospital and turned back to discover a sea of people marching behind them.

"It's like a procession," Nicola Legrottaglie commented to his teammates as the crowd, following hot on their heels, grew longer and thicker.

Pavel Nedved, known to be a man of a few words, said it looked like they were going to walk across the entire hospital and emerge at the other end of it, so long was the corridor - a training session in itself.

But the jests soon stopped once the players entered the Rainbow ward for child cancer patients, dedicating time and affection to the children and their parents at Wonderland, Disneyland and Fairyland, adding that true magic touch.

There was nothing to laugh about there but they managed to bring beaming smiles to everyone's faces and arouse a sense of euphoria in what is predominantly a place of suffering.

"What pushes us to carry out these visits is a deep sensitivity towards difficult situations," Gianluca Pessotto said. Many of the players were parents and could, therefore, identify, he said, adding that they realised what a lot of good and pleasure came out of a simple visit.

"These initiatives can serve to trigger internal mechanisms, chemical reactions, in the patients that could help them face their illness with more determination.

"They are also a means to make it understood that footballers are not only interested in money, cars and women but are close to the people and their suffering; they are more human than they are portrayed to be," he added.

Juventus, he said, was very sensitive to such initiatives, which the team made it a point to embark on in Turin and during their training camps. Such visits were beneficial to both the patients and the players - helping the latter keep their feet on the ground and their sensitivity sharpened.

The emotions were mutual and Nicola Zammit, mother of three-month-old Julian, suffering from a bad cold, was elated by the visit. Her parents were most appreciative of the unexpected encounter with the football stars, who took their time to meet the family.

"They have really brightened our mood and boosted our morale," Ms Zammit said, attempting to calm down.

Adults were not left out either and the players managed to make their way through fans - and staff, who temporarily turned into supporters - to visit Mr Justice Gino Camilleri, a Juventus fanatic, in his hospital room.

When told that Saturday's game against Catania would be a piece of cake, Pavel Nedved was quick to say he hoped so and that it was never that simple.

The players, who lost their friendly match to Valletta FC on Wednesday, also posed for photos with Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier and his daughter, who was about to be discharged from hospital.

Fans besieged them until the last second - even when they had boarded the van and were about to depart. Anything that could be used for an autograph was passed through the closing doors and the patient players did not turn a single one down.

The visit was organised by Renaissance Productions Ltd in collaboration with the Daniel Delicata Memorial Association and involving the Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group.