A 96-year-old Boston woman received the surprise of a lifetime when she discovered the French men’s national soccer team had become her neighbors at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Back Bay.

Shirley, a beloved resident of the neighborhood, said she had no idea she would end up meeting the players in town for the World Cup.

“They’re my buddies,” she said with a laugh.

Her caretaker, Samia, said Shirley has become well known around Back Bay.

“Anyone outside, when we are walking, people come to her and want to talk to her,” Samia said.

The U.S. is out of the World Cup. Fellow co-hosts Mexico and Canada are too. So who should

The excitement around the hotel grew after the French team arrived to stay there during the tournament.

Shirley said the encounter happened unexpectedly while she was eating lunch.

“I was having lunch and they came over, and since then, it’s been wonderful to have them here,” she said.

Shirley said team representatives soon invited her to meet the players.

“And they said, ‘He would like to meet you.’ I said, ‘I’m glad to meet anybody,’” she recalled.

For this Massachusetts teenager, attending a World Cup match was more than a dream come true, it was a milestone in a journey that began when he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma — something that might not have happened if he hadn’t been playing soccer.

After the visit, Shirley recorded a cellphone video sharing her excitement.

“This is absolutely — I cannot tell you how unbelievably fabulous this is,” she said.

The meeting ended with a memorable gift: A jersey from French star Kylian Mbappé.

The team also made her a promise.

“[They] told me that if they win, he will sign it, and then it will be worth a lot of money,” she said, laughing.

Samia, who is from Algeria, quickly agreed. She said she was already a devoted supporter of the French squad after spending many years living in France.

“I’m so excited. I went to Philadelphia to watch the game this past weekend. So, believe me, I’m totally 100% with them. I wanted them to go back to France with a cup,” she said.

Shirley said she never expected to become a fan, but she appreciated the sense of community the tournament brought to her neighborhood.

“It’s good to see such camaraderie happening, with people here getting along. Yeah, it’s the greatest thing,” she said.

She said she still did not know why the team wanted to meet her, but she’s grateful nonetheless. Shirley remains hopeful her new friends would keep winning, and keep returning to Boston.

President Trump hinted at more strikes during a NATO summit earlier in the day. When asked about the ceasefire with Iran, he said that “as far as I’m concerned, it’s over.” He also said he’s not sure he wants to make a deal with the Iranians, called Iran’s leaders “sick,” and declared it “a waste of time dealing with them.”

Neighbors who live in the Elm City’s Fair Haven neighborhood might notice a change of scenery at Quinnipiac River Park.

With city planning and a $250,000 state grant, the walkways were paved, water fountains were installed, and the riverbank was improved to prevent erosion.

It’s come a long way since the area was an industrial site in the 1960s.

“Decades and decades ago, this was a junkyard and it’s just shocking to see what is here now, this beautiful site,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said.

The area eventually became a park that saw a massive cleanup a few years ago. What was once a dump is now frequented by visitors young and old, on wheels and on four legs.

“I’d be the only guy running laps around ad now morning, night, afternoon, there’s people running, there’s people having picnics,” neighbor Eric Murray said.

Elicker said a nicer park with lighting and clean, open space can make visitors feel safe.

“People are less likely to engage in crime if they think that there’s a lot of people to witness and they could get caught,” he said.

The work isn’t done yet. Future plans include picnic tables, a new patio area and welcome gardens. The walkways will become a part of a trail that goes around Fair Haven, according to the mayor.

That requires more funding and the continued work of neighbors who have been keeping the park clean.

The Friends of Quinnipiac River Park take pride in maintaining the beauty here by planting flowers and trees, taking care of them in every season.

“I love planting, especially for the neighborhood,” Sadi Vidro, a member of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park. “I saw the, the outcome of it and that’s what keeps me going.”

Some trees are decorated with a cross and a message that might stop you on your walk. One tree is planted in memory of Michael Caliz.

“Our friend Rita, this is a tree she planted in memory of her son and Rita comes back faithfully every year,” Tom Burwell, the founder of the Friends of Quinnipiac River Park, said. “She’s definitely has taken ownership in the tree and she’s become a staple. She’s been like a mom to us in the group as well.”

Phase one of the project is complete. Concept plans for phase 2 focus on the northern end of the park.