Whenever one reads about the latest football player donating a sum of money to a charitable cause, one can’t help but cynically question his — or his publicist’s — motives. In an age where players are earning up to £300,000 per week, there is growing resentment from fans who can’t relate to the ever-climbing astronomical wages being commanded from players. Whilst the fans’ position that is understandable, does it really matter? Is it really worth questioning one’s motives when, on the surface at least, they seem sincere and more importantly benefit a good cause?
Welcome to my series which seeks to highlight fifteen of the most charitable football players past and present who are using their financial advantage and star power to make a real difference to those less fortunate.
MICHAEL ESSIEN – AC Milan
Former clubs: Bastia, Lyon, Chelsea, Real Madrid (loan)
Charities supported:
- Michael Essien Foundation
- Game of Hope
While Michael Essien has enjoyed great success on the pitch — and has been paid accordingly — he comes from very humble beginnings. Growing up in a very poor area in central Ghana, one in which there were very few opportunities for its people, Essien witnessed first hand what it’s like to live with extremely limited resources. It is for this reason that the footballer chose to act.
AC Milan’s Michael Essien, who also represents his native Ghana in international competition, is the founder of the Michael Essien Foundation. This locally-based organisation seeks to create opportunities for underprivileged families in the Awutu Breku area of Ghana. The foundation’s goal is to provide opportunities and the fundamental needs of the area’s inhabitants through several projects. The organisation is currently governed by a group of four local and governmental leaders and departments.
The organisation lists healthcare equipment, libraries, public toilets and clean drinking water as its primary focal points for each project. A branch of the foundation, Health Africa International, has put education at the fore through its current campaign United Against Ebola. Essien secured the support of other international footballers to help with the cause such as Rio Ferdinand, Samuel Eto’o and Fernando Torres. For his work, the Ghanaian has won awards such as the 2015 Humanitarian of the year from Asian Voice.. The organisation is looking to expand to include anti-malarial education, treatment and preventative measures, which is of particular interest to Essien who was afflicted with the disease as a child.
Essien is also responsible for Game of Hope, a charitable football match played annually featuring a team of African stars and another representing players from Europe. The game featured some of the Africa’s brightest talents including: Tony Yeboah, Nwankwo Kano, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Yaya Toure, and Adebayor. The world team, not to be outdone, has been represented by Kaka, Mesut Ozil, Michael Ballack, Luca Modric, Florent Malouda, James Hubert Lawrence, Makalele, Quincy Abeyie, Ricardo Cavalho, Mark Bright and David Ginola.
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