Football icon Lionel Messi is often in the headlines for his trickery on the soccer field, and the Argentine superstar has grabbed the attention of the globe one more time. However, this time it is not for a unique football feat or a mesmerising goal. Messi has come up with a generous gesture, donating a total of 80,000 euros (88 Lac rupees) to support the reconstruction efforts in the areas that were affected by the devastating wildfire recently.
President of the Madrid regional government, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, broke the news on her social media accounts.
"Leo Messi has donated 80,000 euros to rebuild the Sierra Oeste area in Madrid. I would like to thank him, and to tell him that the people of Madrid look forward to welcoming him soon and giving him the applause he deserves," Diaz said.
The Spanish authorities are continuously putting in efforts to manage the destruction caused by the fires that swept through the Sierra Oeste region of Madrid.
Although the situation is stabilising, emergency teams continue to monitor the perimeter and also tackle hotspots. A total of 16 ground units of firefighters, forest firefighting teams and environmental guards are currently keeping a tab on the situation around the San Juan reservoir.
According to Euronews, Spain had declared a national emergency as fires threatened communities near Madrid.
Messi, who led Argentina to the final of the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup, is being praised everywhere for his social work. Messi has been praised by fans and the public for coming forward to help the people of his country.
Messi is also actively involved in social service through the Leo Messi Foundation, which operates in many areas, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief efforts. The Messi Foundation's assistance has attracted much attention during the COVID pandemic and various natural disasters.
Messi's current donation is a testament to his love for Spain, a country where he rose to stardom while playing club football with FC Barcelona.