The Argentine has helped finance Hospital Clinic, which is both treating victims of their COVID-19 pandemic and is researching the virus.
Lionel Messi has made a reported contribution of $1 million (#920,000/$1.08 million) into Hospital Clinic, a public hospital in Barcelona, to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The hospital confirmed Messi had made a contribution on their official Twitter page, with Mundo Deportivo reporting the 1m figure.
This type of contribution would match that of Messi’s former Barcelona director Pep Guardiola, who has given $1m towards the purchase and production of medical equipment and supplies with a different Barcelona-based campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo and agent Jorge Mendes also have donated $1m to fund intensive care units in hospitals in Lisbon and Porto.
An overall announcement from Hospital Clinic reads: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a health problem which has been worked on with utmost coordination and efficient healthcare, but additionally it is crucial to confront the disease from a scientific standpoint.
“The Clinic teams are dedicated to this struggle and we appreciate all of the contributions that come our way.
“We will dedicate it to the multidisciplinary approach to disease with the newest SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, both concerning research and in the care of patients and their families.
“The unique nature of the situation means that the organization will allocate the funds obtained to meet the identified needs and priorities.
“As always, so as to be clear, the practice will communicate with its donors in due course especially where their contributions are allocated, how they’ve been used, and what the outcomes have been.
“Each and every one of the gifts is significant and adds up.
“On behalf of all of the Clinic employees, thank you!”
Spain has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, with Barcelona no exception.
Messi’s team-mate Ivan Rakitic has stated he understood the situation will get worse after Barca travelled to Italy to confront Napoli from the Champions League.
“It has not been a surprise,” he advised Barca TV.
“We moved to Naples. People were talking about it much in Italy and I said to Xavi (the team physician ) this would get worse.
“Now it is the best thing we could do [to remain at home].
“I want to go out on the road and walk around, but it is not needed. We have to be inside. I really don’t like it, but it is important and necessary.”
