Barcelona's Lionel Messi has donated €1m (£920,000) to help fund a Hospital Clinic which is treating coronavirus patients and researching the disease.
The hospital confirmed on its Twitter that the Argentine had made a substantial donation.
It follows the efforts made by his former boss and now Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola who donated the same amount.
The Catalan manager has helped fun the purchase and production of medical supplies and equipment with another Barcelona-based campaign.
A general statement from Hospital Clinic reads: “The Covid-19 pandemic is a health challenge that is being worked on with maximum coordination and effective healthcare, but it is also necessary to face the disease from the scientific perspective.
“The Clinic teams are committed to this fight and we appreciate all the donations that come our way.
“We will dedicate it to the multidisciplinary approach to infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, both in terms of research, and in the care of patients and their families.
“The exceptional nature of the situation means that the institution will allocate the funds received to meet the identified needs and priorities.
“As always, in order to be transparent, the clinic will communicate to its donors in due course specifically where their donations have been allocated, how they have been used, and what the results have been.
“Each and every one of the contributions are important and add up.
“On behalf of all the Clinic workers, thank you!”
Messi and Guardiola are currently both sat on the sidelines with football throughout Europe suspended as they deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Portuguese pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes have performed similar acts in their homeland by donating a €1m fund to hospitals in Lisbon and Porto.
