It has been reported that Barcelona legend Leo Messi and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have both made separate, substantial donations of €1million to help the fight against the coronavirus. The money will have far reaching effects in Barcelona and the Catalan region at large, with Spain being the worst hit European country by the spread of the virus, outside of Italy.
According to Marca, Messi has split the donation between Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and a facility in Argentina.
Leo Messi donates for the fight against #COVIDー19 at Hospital Clínic. Thank you, Leo, for your commitment and support. @idibaps #Covid19 #StayAtHome
✅https://t.co/crwjKOSBdU pic.twitter.com/e2YzkBFmJi— Hospital CLÍNIC (@hospitalclinic) March 24, 2020
Guardiola also parted with a million euros of his own money to help another Catalan cause, a fund raising campaign for the Angel Solar Daniel Foundation and Medical College of Barcelona.
“Pep Guardiola has made a donation of one million euros to the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation for the acquisition and supply of health equipment to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic,” the College said in a statement.
“The donation campaign promoted by the Medical College of Barcelona and managed through the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation aims to collect medical materials and financial contributions from collegiate doctors and the general population, for the purchase of medical equipment and equipment that is currently lacking in health centres in Catalonia.
“It will also help finance the alternative production, through 3D printing and other methods, of respirators and personal protection equipment for healthcare staff.”
The campaign had been running three days before Guardiola's donation and had raised just over €30,000.
Catalonia, along with most of Spain, has been severely affected the spread of the virus, with the country totaling 2,696 deaths so far.
Meanwhile, the Croation international team, whose country was hit with two earthquakes this week on top of the coronavirus outbreak, have raised €560,000 to help efforts there.
It's great to see footballers around the world doing their part in this time of uncertainty, fear, and crisis.
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