Neymar donates $1 million to tackle coronavirus

Brazilian footballer Neymar has donated $1 million to charities in order to tackle the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in his native country, state media reported.

According to state media, the world’s third-highest-paid footballer donated some part of the money to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the rest to a charitable fund launched by his friend Luciano Huck, a Brazilian TV presenter.

Luciano Huck, who has been touted as a possible candidate in Brazil’s 2022 presidential election, launched his fund to help poor Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to coronavirus.

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star – Neymar – followed the example of his club teammate Kylian Mbappe, who last month donated a large amount of money to a French charity to fight the impact of COVID-19.

The donations come as high-paid footballers face pressure to donate some of their salaries amid coronavirus, which has ground the sporting world to a halt and left some clubs struggling to pay their staff.

Earlier last week, Neymar faced some criticism after he was photographed relaxing with a group of friends on a beach volleyball court amid coronavirus.

His press team said he was receiving no visitors and was in quarantine at a “completely isolated” residence with people who made the trip from France with him.