Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil is doing his best to ensure the country of Brazil receives maximum benefit for hosting the 2014 World Cup.
Prior to the World Cup group stage, the Arsenal player pledged to pay for the surgeries of 11 Brazilian children, but has since upped that number to 23 following his country’s triumph over Argentina.
The total of €355,000 equates to roughly $480,000 USD, is a “personal thank you for the hospitality of the people of Brazil”, as seen in his Facebook post above. Yes, Ozil can easily afford to donate his winnings but this is still a tremendous gesture of kindness that should not go unrecognized.
Furthermore, the entire Algerian team sent their bonuses to the people of Gaza:
Striker Islam Slimani has revealed #ALG will donate their World Cup prize money to the people in Gaza. “They need it more than us.”
— Waleed Abu Nada (@waleedabunada) July 2, 2014
And Greece issued the following statement (via The Guardian) regarding their money:
We do not want extra bonus, or money. We only play for Greece and its people,” Greek media reported the players as writing. “All we want is for you to support our effort to find land and create a sports centre that will house our national team.
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