Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil understands the definition of giving back.
Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup began, the Arsenal star helped fund the surgeries for 11 sick Brazilian children, but after Germany defeated Argentina in the final, Ozil used his Cup winnings to increase that number to 23 kids in honor of the number of players that made up his winning team.
Ozil made the generous gesture as his “personal thank you for the hospitality of the people of Brazil.”
It was originally rumored that Ozil would be donating his earnings — nearly $600,000 according to the Telegraph — to the children of Gaza, but his agent Roland Eitel released a statement clearing up where the money would be directed.
The claim that Mesut donated money to Gaza is not true,” Eitel said, via the Telegraph. “Maybe in the future, who knows? He donated money to causes in Brazil and he is now on holiday.”
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