Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola have both made a donation to funds raising money to battle COVID-19.
Messi has donated to the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, with the amount thought to be €1 million. In a tweet sent out on Tuesday evening, Hospital Clinic's official account confirmed that the Argentine had made a donation to the official fund created to combat coronavirus.
Leo Messi donates for the fight against #COVIDー19 at Hospital Clínic. Thank you, Leo, for your commitment and support. @idibaps #Covid19 #StayAtHome
— Hospital CLÍNIC (@hospitalclinic) March 24, 2020
✅https://t.co/crwjKOSBdU pic.twitter.com/e2YzkBFmJi
Catalan-based publication El Mundo Deportivo has reported that Messi's donation is €1m and will be split between the clinic in question, another centre in Barcelona and a medical centre in Argentina.
Messi's donation follows an identical amount from his former coach, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who has pledged the money to the Medical College of Barcelona and the Angel Soler Daniel foundation.
In both cases the money will be spent to acquire medical equipment and protective clothing such as masks and gloves for the frontline doctors and nurses battling the virus.
