While many people are often criticized for their lavish lifestyles, flaunting their money and fame, some football players choose to use their wealth and influence to help the community. These players are not only stars on the field but also dedicated charity workers, willing to contribute to organizations, hospitals, and the poor. If you are not aware of this aspect of world-famous athletes, join Bestsoccertips.com to discover the list of top 10 most charitable football players, who are always willing to share and contribute to positive change in society.
Top 10 most charitable football players
10 – Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s ability on the pitch is undeniable. His natural talent, superb technique, and extraordinary achievements have made him a global icon of modern football. However, beyond the spotlight on the pitch, the Argentine is also known for his generosity and contributions to the community, not only in his homeland but also around the world.
Messi is not only an excellent player, but also actively participates in charity activities. He works closely with UNICEF on many meaningful projects, including campaigns to improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged children in countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nepal. Not stopping there, Messi also established his own charity fund, with the mission of helping poor children overcome difficulties to realize their dreams and have a better future. These efforts have confirmed that, in addition to his greatness on the pitch, Messi is also a symbol of kindness and sharing.
9 – Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan player of FC Barcelona, always remembers his roots and homeland. He was appointed ambassador of the Perez Scremini Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the fight against childhood cancer. In this role, Suarez not only participates in fundraising campaigns but also regularly visits and encourages children who are fighting the disease, bringing hope and joy to many families.
Suarez spirit of solidarity is also clearly demonstrated through his actions during difficult times in his hometown. In 2016, when severe flooding occurred in Salto, Suarez quickly donated necessities such as blankets, milk powder, diapers and food to support the affected people. Not alone, he and his famous Uruguayan teammates such as Diego Godín and Edinson Cavani joined hands to help Salto and Dolores, spreading a strong spirit of charity and solidarity in the community.
8 – Michael Essien
Michael Essien, a player of Ghanaian origin, not only stands out for his impressive football career but also for his practical actions and admirable kindness. As one of the world’s leading midfielders throughout his playing career, especially for Chelsea and the Ghana national team, Essien has left his mark not only with his skillful playing ability but also with his great contributions to the community. Despite his success in his career, he always remembers his homeland and makes constant efforts to improve the lives of the less fortunate in Ghana, where he was born and raised.
The Michael Essien Foundation, founded by himself, is a clear testament to this player’s heart and commitment to his homeland. The foundation focuses on providing basic amenities to disadvantaged areas in Ghana, including the construction of sanitation facilities, public toilets, learning libraries, and the provision of clean drinking water to poor communities. These initiatives not only improve the quality of life of the people but also raise awareness about the importance of sanitation, education, and public health.
7 – Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil, a German footballer, is not only famous for his great talent on the pitch but also for his charitable acts. With impressive assists and exquisite footballing ability, Özil has proven himself to be one of the best players of his generation. However, in addition to his success on the pitch, he has also left a mark in the hearts of fans thanks to his significant contributions to the community.
One of the memorable milestones in Özil’s charity career was when he was awarded the Permio Laureus award after donating all of his prize money from the 2014 World Cup. The money was used to fund medical treatment for 23 children in Brazil who were in difficult circumstances and needed support in health care. Before the World Cup, Özil had planned to sponsor surgeries for 11 children (each member of the German team would sponsor one surgery), but after the tournament ended, he decided to expand his generosity, donating more to help even more children. These touching acts have confirmed that Mesut Özil is not only a talented player, but also a shining example of kindness and sharing.
6 – Juan Mata
Juan Mata, a Spanish player for Manchester United, is not only known for his skillful technique and influence on the pitch, but also for his humanitarian actions. With a heart of compassion and a commitment to supporting the community, Mata has spent a significant portion of his income helping the less fortunate. He has pledged to donate 1% of his salary to a global charity that supports football initiatives for children, especially those in difficult circumstances.
Mata has not only made personal donations but has also encouraged his fellow footballers to get involved in charitable activities. He is one of the pioneers in inviting other players around the world to participate in community support initiatives. Mata believes that football can bring great power to change the lives of children, and through his actions, he hopes to inspire more people to participate in these charitable activities, helping children who do not have the opportunity to access the best conditions to develop their talents and lives.
5 – Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas, the Costa Rican goalkeeper of Real Madrid, is not only known for his outstanding talent in goal but also for his kindness and generosity. Navas has always shown a deep concern for the community, especially for children in difficult circumstances. He participates in many solidarity campaigns, helping poor and needy children, bringing hope and support in difficult life situations.
In addition to charity campaigns, Navas also participates in other meaningful activities, such as cutting his hair to honor children who are fighting cancer. His action is not only a humane gesture but also shows empathy and solidarity with people who are facing great challenges in life. Keylor Navas has proven that compassion is not only a part of life off the pitch but also an important value that he always carries within himself, whether on or off the pitch.
4 – Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas, the famous former goalkeeper of the Spanish national team and Real Madrid, has not only made his mark in football history with his resounding successes but also stands out for his great contributions to the community. With a compassionate heart, Casillas has always participated in many solidarity initiatives and charity projects, especially in programs to help people in need. One of the organizations that Casillas collaborates with is the NGO Plan, which carries out a number of non-profit projects to support children and women in poor areas, giving them the opportunity to change their lives.
With his tireless efforts in charity activities, Casillas was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This role allows him to participate in global initiatives to reduce poverty, protect the rights of children and women, and promote sustainable development. From the pitch to social activities, Casillas has always been a model of dedication and charity, affirming that sports stars can create positive changes beyond their sporting achievements.
3 – Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli, one of the most prominent and charismatic players in football, not only impresses with his talent and daring style of play on the pitch but also with his humanitarian actions and strong spirit of solidarity off the pitch. Contrary to the image of an erratic and complicated player, Balotelli has always been very mindful of his origins and has not forgotten his roots. He has also been outstanding in supporting the community, especially those in difficult circumstances. One of his notable actions is to donate money directly to the homeless, even renting hotel rooms at Christmas so that they have a warm shelter during these holidays.
Balotelli’s personality is also shown through his special attention to personal situations. Once, when a boy asked for his autograph and Balotelli learned that the boy was being bullied, he decided to go with the boy’s mother to school, meet the principal and his classmates to find a way to resolve the situation. In addition, Balotelli is also a lover of animals, especially dogs, and he has not hesitated to help many animal rescue shelters financially. These actions of Balotelli prove that, in addition to his football career, he is also a compassionate person and is always ready to help those around him, including humans and animals.
2 – Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba, a former African player famous for his glorious career at Chelsea, is not only known for his talent and impressive goals but also for his great contributions to the community, especially in Africa. With a compassionate heart, Drogba established his own charity fund, which provides food, clothing, educational supplies and medical care to poor children in Africa. His fund has helped thousands of children in difficult circumstances, bringing better living opportunities and a hopeful future to the young generation of this continent.
With his tireless efforts in improving the lives of poor children, Drogba has received many prestigious awards for his charity work in Africa. He does not stop at donating money but also cooperates in building hospitals and orphanages, providing medical services and shelters for homeless children. Drogba’s contributions have helped change the lives of many children, while creating a model of a sports star’s heart and responsibility towards the community.
1 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, the famous Real Madrid player, is not only a symbol of success in football with outstanding achievements and titles but also a generous person. Although he is often seen flaunting his lavish lifestyle, using high-end brands, traveling on private yachts and living in luxurious villas, Ronaldo never forgets his duty to the community. He has proven that wealth and fame are not only for himself but also a means to help those in need.
Ronaldo has donated millions of euros to charities, including shelters and hospitals, to help those in need. He has also donated his jersey and golden boots to charity events to raise funds for community support. One of his notable actions was donating thousands of dollars to a cancer treatment center in Portugal, where he wanted to contribute to helping patients fight the deadly disease. Ronaldo has continued his philanthropic spirit recently by helping those affected by the forest fires in Portugal. He has funded the medical care of 370 victims with his own money, helping them overcome serious losses. These contributions confirm that Ronaldo is not only a sports legend but also a shining example of charity and social responsibility.
Conclusion
The top 10 most charitable football players above are not only outstanding for their talent on the field but also shining examples of compassion and sharing spirit. They use their influence and resources to support those in need, bringing hope and change to many communities around the world. Their charitable actions prove that wealth and fame can be powerful tools to create positive impacts, and they deserve to be praised not only for their sporting achievements but also for their invaluable contributions to society. Thank you for following our article!
