ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC is hoping to raise 1million Euros to fight coronavirus after launching a GoFundMe page on Wednesday.
The AC Milan superstar, 38, is based at the heart of Italy’s epicentre, where 31,500 people have been infected and over 2,500 have died.
⚠️ Read our Coronavirus in Sport live blog for the latest news, updates and cancellations
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Italian hospitals in the fight against coronavirusCredit: Getty Images
It’s the most affected country in world bar China, where coronavirus started.
And hospitals have been overwhelmed since COVID-19 spread to all corners of the country.
Numbers continue to rise daily, especially in the north.
And it’s feared hospitals will soon be unable to treat patients suffering from the virus due to a shortage of beds, ventilators and other vital equipment.
However, Ibrahimovic wants to ensure medical facilities have enough gear to help Italy turn the outbreak around.
He has launched a GoFundMe called ‘Kick the Virus away!’ which is aiming to raise 1million Euros for hospitals in Italy’s most affected regions.
As of Wednesday afternoon, just four hours after launch, the page had raised over 131,000 Euros thanks to the kindness of over 1,000 donors.
And Ibrahimovic made very clear in his description box just how the money will be used to support hospitals in a major time of crisis.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world – plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
He wrote: “Let’s kick the Coronavirus away!
“Right now Italy is facing an extreme emergency.
“Therefore we have decided to organise a fundraising campaign and all funds collected will be directly donated to Humanitas to help strengthen the intensive care and emergency units of Milano, Bergamo, Castellanza and Torino’s hospitals.
“With a small donation you will contribute to the purchase of necessary materials and equipment.
“[Such as] Suits, masks, scrubs, personal protective equipment, lung ventilators, monitoring systems, telemetry.
“With he help of all, we will win this match!”
Italians are sure to appreciate Ibrahimovic’s efforts, with the Swede spending a large portion of his career in the country.
He spent two years at Juventus between 2004 and 2006 where he won two Serie A titles which were eventually taken away due to a match-fixing scandal.
Ibra then went to Inter Milan for three years, which resulted in three more titles.
The veteran returned to Milan with rivals AC from 2010 to 2012, helping to win the club’s last league title.
And he is now back with the Rossoneri for a second spell after completing a January switch from LA Galaxy.
Ibrahimovic’s good deed isn’t the only act of kindness from the world of football today.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich announced NHS staff will be put up for free at the club’s Millenium Hotel, based next to Stamford Bridge, to help combat coronavirus on the frontlines in London.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk