Argentine footballers donate World Cup bonus for construction of cancer centre

World Cup runners-up Argentina squad-members make generous donation for a noble cause.

The Argentine footballers might have lost their match against Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but they certainly have won a lot of heart with their generous donation of £80,000 for the construction of a paediatric cancer centre at the Hospital Garrahan in Buenos Aires.

According to a report on Argentine sports website El Dias, it was Javier Mascherano who apparently came up with the idea at first, however, upon soon skipper Lionel Messi took over, and oversaw the donation which was made through his foundation who had been already helping the hospital since 2010.

The donation will help in the construction of buildings spread over 2,400 square meters, with 20 clinics, 70 outpatient beds, 20 beds for prolonged chemotherapy, and 15 42-inch televisions were also donated so that the patients could watch their football heroes live.

"The World Cup helped everyone remain cheerful and happy, helping us carrying out treatments with ease. It was an excuse for kids to acquire guts and courage," said Dr. Marcelo Scopinaro, who serves as the president of the hospital board.

This news comes after Germany’s Mesut Ozil had donated his World Cup bonus worth €300,000 to 23 sick children in Brazil.