The legendary attacker is attempting to do his bit to assist the relief effort in northern Italy, trying to raise $1 million.
AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is spearheading an initiative to raise $1 million (#920,000/$1.1m) in an attempt to improve hospitals addressing the coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy.
The pandemic has claimed the lives of over 8,000 people worldwide, with Italy having been especially hard hit by the crisis and the nation coming to a virtual standstill.
Former Sweden global Ibrahimovic, who has spent seven decades of his storied career playing in the nation with Juventus, Inter and at an earlier stint with Milan, says he wants to do his bit to help the effort.
“Italy has ever given me so much, and in this dramatic moment, I wish to give back much more to this country I love,” the 38-year-old clarified in a video posted on Twitter.
“I decided, along with the men and women that are working with me, to make a design for Humanitas hospitals and also to use my communication capability to spread the message wider. It is a serious problem and we need concrete assistance that is not just about a movie.
“I rely on the generosity of my colleagues, of professional athletes and of people who wish to produce a small or large contribution based on their chances to kick away this virus. Together we can help hospitals and physicians and nurses who selflessly work daily to save our own lives because today we’re the ones cheering for them.”
His GoFundMe page details what he wants to achieve with the effort.
“Let’s kick the CoronaVirus together!” It says.
“In this period of extreme emergency that Italy is facing, we’ve opted to organize a fundraiser which will be directly contributed to Humanitas to help fortify Intensive Care and First Aid in the hospitals of Rozzano / Milan, Bergamo, Castellanza (VA) and Turin.
“Having a small donation you may contribute to the purchase of the necessary materials and equipment:
– overalls, masks, gowns and individual protective devices;
– lung ventilators;
– tracking systems;
– telemetry.
“With everyone’s help, we’ll win this match!”
Ibrahimovic moved back to Milan in January after a successful two-year stint with the LA Galaxy.
