Lionel Messi Makes €1m Donation to Help Fight Coronavirus

​Lionel Messi has joined the fight against coronavirus, donating €1m between the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and a medical centre in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina.

Spain remains the worst affected country in Europe after Italy, with the virus claiming over 2,600 lives already and the death toll expected to rise. Catalonia specifically also has a high concentration of cases.

The seriousness of the pandemic in Spain recently led to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga both confirming that all football in the country will be postponed indefinitely until experts say it is safe to return.

But while he can't contribute on the pitch for the time being, according to Mundo Deportivo, Messi had made a considerable contribution off it - gifting a generous €1m donation to help combat the outbreak of the virus, with the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona one the beneficiaries of the Barça superstar's donation. 

The hospital said in a tweet: “The clinic has received a donation from Leo Messi to face the Covid-19. This donation will be dedicated, among other things, to the research and acquisition of assisted breathing equipment, used to care for the most seriously ill patients.

"Thank you very much Leo, for your commitment and your support," they added.

While he's always been involved in solidarity medical projects, Messi has continued to spread awareness about the importance of hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus - participating in both WHO and FIFA-led projects regarding the global pandemic.

The Argentine joins former boss Pep Guardiola in using his wealth to help fight the spread of the virus in Catalonia.

Guardiola's similarly pledged €1m, which will go to the donation campaign being promoted by the Medical College of Barcelona and the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation.

Elsewhere, in the UK, several heartwarming gestures from football clubs and players up and down the region have helped galvanise communities amid a difficult time.