10 most generous footballers in the world

Michael Essien

The Ghanaian native doesn’t only make national headlines for his play on the field. The midfield general has a ruthless streak while on the pitch and the heart of a lion off it.

The Michael Essien Foundation founded by him, tends to the unprivileged in his hometown; providing them with amenities such as healthcare equipment, libraries, public toilets and clean drinking water.

The African midfielder is also involved in another initiative known as ‘Reading Goals’, which helps to inculcate reading habits amongst youngsters in his native country.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is truly a king, both on and off the pitch. He gives it all and gives them in ample; whether it be goals on the field or extending his arm to the needy.

The Portuguese international was recently involved with Save The Children in helping the people devastated in the recent Nepal earthquakes. The past has seen him auction off his Golden Boot in 2012 to the ring of €1.5million; all of which was used to make schools in war-torn Gaza.

His other actions involve setting up of a cancer centre in Madeira and being the global ambassador for Save the Children, an initiative which is dedicated to helping children who suffer from hunger and obesity.

Mesut Ozil

The German international was awarded the Laureus Prize for charity work after he donated all of his winnings from the World Cup last year i.e. 237,000 pounds. The funds are to be used to treat 23 children from Brazil who are in need of finances for the medical needs.

The move was widely lauded by the footballing community for his selfless act and was among the few who was widely recognised for it.

Prior to the World Cup the intention was to sponsor surgeries for 11 children, one for each member of the German team but by the time it was concluded, Ozil raised the number to 23 saying every member of the squad was important in their World Cup victory and not just the first team eleven.

David Beckham

David Beckham is not only the biggest brand, pop star or icon that this game has ever seen but arguably also greatest philanthropist. The former English captain has used his iconic status time and again to ramp up projects around the world.

Currently, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, the former England captain has had many philanthropic interests. He is a founding member of the Malaria No More UK Leadership Council, and a supporter of Help for Heroes, a charity aimed at helping injured service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Besides these, he has his own foundation in trust, which he opened along with his wife Victoria Beckham duly named Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust.

Beckham has helped raise $185,500 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) by auctioning off two tickets to the World Cup party on eBay. He was entered into NSPCC’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

In case you missed it, he also donated all his wages during his short stint playing for Paris St. Germain.