Lionel Messi has donated 80,000 euros, about 467,000 Brazilian reais, to help rebuild Madrid's Sierra Oeste region after a wildfire devastated the area last week.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, announced the gift on Tuesday, August 4, thanking Messi on social media. She said Messi donated 80,000 euros for the reconstruction of the Sierra Oeste de Madrid, and that Madrid residents hoped to welcome him soon to give him the applause he deserves.
Messi benched after World Cup final loss
The donation came after Messi and Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain. He was then named a substitute for Inter Miami's Major League Soccer match against Columbus Crew.
The move drew attention because Messi was entitled to 21 days of rest after the World Cup but returned to training after only ten days. Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos highlighted the early return the day before the match, saying Messi was fundamental to the club on both a footballing and a human level, in a video posted by Inter Miami.
