Apart from being superstars and millionaires, some footballers are great human beings. Today we will be looking at some of the most charitable footballers on the planet.
1. Juan Mata
Juan Mata founded the Common Goal organization in 2017, where he and other members, mostly footballers, give 1% of their earnings to a shared fund (Common Goal) and then donate money to powerful football foundations worldwide to change the world through football. In addition to his involvement in Common Goal, he collaborates with various charitable organizations such as Streetsoccer USA, Street Child United, Friends of Sierra Leone, Special Olympics, UNICEF, and other prominent charities. This demonstrates that his substantial earnings are significant, and he generously donated to numerous causes. Juan Mata has a pretty big heart if you ask us.
2. Lionel Messi
Arguably the best player in the world, Lionel Messi has his own charity that supports standards of living and education for children in many countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, and India. In addition, he generously gave one million Euros to hospitals across the globe amid the pandemic, displaying a truly remarkable spirit of kindness.
3. Hector BellerinÂ
Not all soccer players need to participate in typical charitable endeavors. Hector stands out with his distinct accomplishments in tree planting. He has committed to planting 3000 trees whenever his team, Arsenal, emerges victorious, and he undertakes to plant 6000 trees each time they face defeat in a specific season. By the conclusion of that particular season, he had been responsible for the planting of 58,000 trees. And that's just one of many charity avenues he's involved in, most with the goal of securing the environment for future generations.
4. Neymar
As one of the most prominent figures in the world of sports and among the highest earners, Neymar has established a charitable organization in his native Brazil. This organization is committed to improving the opportunities for disadvantaged kids and teenagers. Moreover, it was revealed that he selflessly donated one million dollars in secret to aid hospitals during the pandemic, showcasing Neymar's deep dedication to using his privilege to benefit others.
5. Micheal EssienÂ
Remembering where you came from is important, and Michael Essien is particularly good at this. Essien, the footballer, invested a significant amount of his wealth in improving his native Ghana, ensuring the provision of clean drinking water, quality roads, hospitals, electricity, and educational facilities for the local children. This represents a great way to spend one's money. As an African proverb says, it takes an entire village to raise a child.
6. Mesut Ozil
Turkish Player Mesut Ozil isn't just world-class on the pitch but also in charity, as he was awarded the Permo Larueaus after donating all his 2014 world cup winnings to charity. He spent the money to treat 23 children in Brazil with medical needs.
7. Keylor NavasÂ
This Costa Rican goalkeeping superstar is no slouch when it comes to charity. He has collaborated with various solidarity campaigns to help children in need, and he cut his hair in solidarity with children fighting cancer. Keylor is a beautiful human.
8. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba provides healthcare, clothing, food, education, and health supplies through his foundation. The Ivorian striker has continued to make waves outside the pitch with his generosity and patriotism, especially when he significantly ended a war in his own country. He stood in the middle of the two opposing sides during the civil war, calling for a ceasefire, and with that ceasefire finally came negotiations for the war to be stopped. If that isn't charity, then I don't know what it is.
9. Marcus Rashford
We often look at charity as giving money for the common good, but we forget that making a difference is also a form of charity. Marcus Rashford is not only a footballer renowned for his generous charitable contributions but also notable for his influential role in persuading the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to reconsider a significant policy stance. Initially, the Prime Minister supported a policy opposing the provision of meals for schoolchildren, but Rashford successfully convinced him to change his position on this matter. Ever since Rashford has remained committed to advocating for underprivileged children in the United Kingdom.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo
Apart from being one of the best ever to play the sport and always seen flaunting his money using the best luxury brands of cars, shoes, etc., the player has also donated millions of euros to shelters and hospitals, including donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to cancer treatment centers in Portugal as well as donating his Golden boot and jerseys to charity events for less privileged fans of his.
Here is our lineup of what we think are the most charitable footballers in the world. Who would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!Â
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