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See the full story · 1 sourcesLionel Messi donates to Spanish region after devastating wildfires
Lionel Messi has made a significant contribution to help communities recover from the devastating wildfires that swept through Spain’s Sierra Oeste region.
According to The Athletic , the Inter Miami star has donated €80,000 to support reconstruction efforts.
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, has confirmed Messi’s donation and publicly thanked the Argentine football icon for his generosity.
Ayuso shared the news on social media and expressed her appreciation, saying the people of Madrid look forward to welcoming Messi in the future so they can personally thank him for his support.
The contribution comes as the Sierra Oeste region continues to deal with the aftermath of one of the worst wildfire disasters in recent memory.
Fuelled by an intense summer heatwave that affected both Spain and France, the fires left widespread destruction across the region.
Thousands of hectares of land were burned, homes were destroyed, and many families were forced to leave their communities as emergency services battled the flames.
According to regional authorities, more than 22,000 hectares of land were affected by the fires. At least 43 homes were destroyed, while more than 300 others suffered severe damage.
Officials have warned that the full scale of the destruction is still being assessed, with recovery expected to take considerable time.
While Messi was born in Argentina, he has a deep connection to Spain.
The 2026 World Cup finalist moved to Barcelona as a teenager to join the club’s famous youth academy and spent more than two decades living and playing in the country before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
The Miami star has long been recognised for giving back through charitable work.
As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2010, he has supported projects focused on children’s healthcare, education, and wellbeing across the world.
Through the Lionel Messi Foundation, he has also helped fund several humanitarian initiatives, including the construction of a paediatric cancer centre in Barcelona.
Earlier in 2025, Messi received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and lasting impact beyond football.
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