Footballers and their Charitable Contributions: Making a Difference
Football players are often seen as selfish over-paid stars, but these stars have a lot of potentials to make positive differences off the pitch. From helping those in need to promoting good, these players are doing amazing things for the world.
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has been busy helping while football’s paused during the coronavirus lockdown. He donated PS80,000 to Muslims in Turkey during Ramadan.
Mario Balotelli
Footballers are often criticized for their greed, as they earn very lucrative salaries and are in a position of sensational fortune and wealth. However, many of these players donate money to charity and make a difference in the world around them. Among them are Jack Wilshere who has set up the “Ali Shakir Foundation” to help children with heart problems, Iker Casillas with his “Plan” project for the poorest regions of the country, Frederic Kanoute with his ambitious city projects for orphaned kids, Samuel Eto’o with his foundation for better education in Africa and Mexican Rafa Marquez who donates his millions to help marginalized communities in Mexico.
Mario Balotelli is one of the most charitable football players in the world and he does more than simply give his time and money to charity. The Manchester City renegade who is usually surrounded by controversies off the pitch, such as amassing PS100k worth of parking fines and having his cars impounded, has a soft side and is often seen giving cash to homeless people. He is also a dog lover and used to volunteer at the Manchester dogs’ home, walking abandoned animals when his pet was in quarantine ahead of his move to England.
He is currently on loan at Liverpool from AC Milan and has reportedly donated the full fee of his international football testimonial, starring in a newspaper and TV commercial campaign as well as a print advertisement for La Gazzetta dello Sport to the completion of a secondary school in Cuey Machar, South Sudan. The facility was built to provide children with an alternative to firearms and fighting. He also supports an organization that provides humanitarian aid to people in 63 countries affected by war, natural disasters, epidemics, and malnutrition.
Dirk Kuyt
A man who never sought the spotlight, Kuyt was the epitome of a humble professional footballer. From his birthplace of Katwijk aan Zee to the Champions League final, Kuyt hasn’t forgotten his roots and continues to help others through his foundation, now in its 10th year.
He’s a serial trophy winner, having won the KNVB Cup with Quick Boys, the Eredivisie with FC Utrecht and Feyenoord Rotterdam as well as the League Cup in 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2009-10 with Liverpool FC. He’s also scored a total of 71 Premier League goals for the Reds, with many of those being game-winners.
Despite the lows of his 2007-08 season, he was still a big-game player for Rafael Benitez’s side. Kuyt’s ability to outmuscle fullbacks, his aerial prowess, and intelligent movement allowed him to create chances for others and was a big reason why he played in so many major games for Liverpool.
He has a genuine love of the game and genuinely wants to make a difference. While most players will give back through their club, a select few will go the extra mile to help those in need. From Steven Gerrard’s flourishing charity foundation to Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger’s thriving efforts, there are plenty of players who have a big heart and want to make a difference. Whether they’re donating their time to children’s charities, helping the homeless, or funding a sports facility for those who can’t afford it, these players are leading by example and setting a good standard for their peers. It’s a shame more don’t follow suit. There’s too much talent in the world to ignore those who don’t have a roof over their head.
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Juan Mata
Juan Mata has always been a favorite with fans of his clubs, both past and present. He may not have fit in perfectly with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, but he’s the type of player who just seems to have something about him that makes people fall in love with him. He’s supremely talented, always productive and, most importantly, he appears to be an incredibly nice guy.
So when he announced that he would be donating one percent of his salary to charity, it was a big deal. Not only is it an extraordinary gesture from a man who is estimated to earn around seven million pounds a year, but it’s also an indication that the top level of football can still be a force for good in society.
Just a year after the Spaniard’s initial announcement, the list of high-profile players and coaches that are contributing 1% of their salaries to Common Goal continues to grow. Mata is joined by the likes of Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels and Orlando Pride, and USA forward Alex Morgan.
This week, sports giant Adidas made a major commitment to the project by agreeing to donate one percent of its global net sales from its footballs to Common Goal until 2023. The German company supplies the official ball for Euro 2020 and this move is a major boost for Common Goal’s long-term aim of using football to encourage social change across the globe.
Mata’s commitment has been well-received by his former club, who have also pledged to contribute to the cause. The pair will continue to work together to support grassroots projects through a variety of different activities, including coaching and volunteering initiatives.
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Rafa Marquez
Rafael Marquez is one of the most well-known footballers in the world. The Mexican has a huge fan following across the globe and is involved in a variety of charitable initiatives as well.
Rafael Luis Marquez Zamora, known as Rafa, was born in February 1979. He began his career in the football academy of a local club called Atlas de Guadalajara in Mexico where he made a name for himself as a talented young player. He was then called up to the Mexico national team for his debut in a friendly against Ecuador at the age of 17 and was soon part of the regular squad.
Rafa was part of the squad that represented Mexico at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan where he received the captain’s armband. He has also won four La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys, and two UEFA Champions Leagues during his seven years at Barcelona.
The defender is currently involved in his foundation which aims to help children and keep them away from social vices. He has also opened a clinic for sports injuries. He is also an ambassador of Plan International, a charity that helps children in developing countries.
However, the 37-year-old was recently added to the US Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) for alleged links to drug trafficking. This listing will prevent him from investing in American companies and may also affect his ability to get life insurance or payments that pass through the U.S. banking system. In addition, it could affect his sponsorship of the Mexican national team. The defender has denied the allegations and insists that he is not a part of any criminal organization.
Samuel Eto’o
As a player who’s made a fortune from the game, Samuel Eto’o’s legs have earned him a lot of laurels. He’s been a lifesaver for many households as he’s used his wealth and fame to bring about a change in society.
The Cameroon legend’s background plays a key role in his growth as he grows empathy for those who have suffered from poverty in his country and continent. His family’s fall from relying on the earnings of his Accountant father to selling fish at local markets has taught him to value what he has and appreciate those that are less fortunate than him.
This has helped him to grow into a man who’s willing to fight for the rights of his fellow humans. In his quest to help the underprivileged, he founded the Samuel Eto’o Foundation and the Cameroon Football Development Program. The foundation helps to provide healthcare and education, while the development program has produced some talented youngsters.
In the past, he’s traveled to neighboring Sierra Leone and this month he visited Accra on a humanitarian mission with FIFA for ‘FIFA 11 for Health’. While in town, he’s met with students from Kotobabi “3” and Alajo “3” JHS to talk about the importance of having good health while imbibing the spirit of sportsmanship.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan star has also made a name for himself with his charitable work in Italy as he’s donated over 1 million euros to the Cameroon National Team. He’s living proof that success brings with it a responsibility to give back. As he continues to etch his name in the annals of the game’s history, the Indomitable Lions skipper will leave behind a legacy that will continue to help those that need him the most.
Conclusion
Away from the pitch, players use their fame to help those in need. They have set up their foundations or teamed up with existing charities to do good in the world.
