- Lionel Messi donated €80,000 to support reconstruction efforts in the areas ravaged by the wildfires that swept through the Spanish capital, Madrid.
- Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, confirmed the donation from the former Barcelona star.
- Ayuso expressed her gratitude, stating: "Leo Messi has donated €80,000 for the reconstruction of the Sierra Oeste de Madrid. I want to thank him and tell him that the people of Madrid hope to welcome him soon to give him the applause he deserves."
- The Sierra Oeste region, west of the Spanish capital, has endured significant damage from the blazes, with widespread destruction to land and property, and residents forced to evacuate.
Football icon Lionel Messi has made a significant donation of €80,000 to assist in the reconstruction of the Sierra Oeste region in Madrid, which has suffered extensive damage from recent wildfires.4
The donation was confirmed by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, who expressed her gratitude on social media, stating, "Leo Messi has donated €80,000 for the reconstruction of the Sierra Oeste de Madrid. I want to thank him and tell him that the people of Madrid hope to welcome him soon to give him the applause he deserves."23
The Sierra Oeste area has faced significant destruction, with residents forced to evacuate and widespread damage to land and property.
As the region begins to recover, Spanish authorities are continuing efforts to control the aftermath of the fires, which have been stabilized after nearly two weeks of destruction. Emergency teams remain active, monitoring hotspots, particularly around the San Juan reservoir, with 16 ground units of firefighters and environmental guards involved.
Despite the situation improving, access to several residential areas remains restricted, and roads leading to popular sites like the San Juan reservoir and Alberche beach are still closed.
Messi's donation reflects his ongoing commitment to philanthropy, as he has previously established the Leo Messi Foundation to support children and young people through various initiatives.
The donation comes shortly after Messi returned to action with Inter Miami, marking a notable moment in his post-World Cup career.
“The Sierra Oeste fire is stabilized after nearly two weeks, but 16 ground units remain monitoring hotspots around San Juan reservoir and residents still cannot return to seven residential areas. Messi, whose Leo Messi Foundation was founded in 2007, returned to Inter Miami action over the weekend after this summer's World Cup.”
The Independent
