Brazil’s opening game of the World Cup in Qatar was against Serbia, and striker Richarlison scored both of the goals during the game. One of them – a volley – was considered one of the most beautiful goals of the competition up to that point.
What few people know, however, is that the soccer player has also been scoring goals off the soccer pitch as well.
For example, recently, the athlete revealed that he donates 10% of the salary he earns at Tottenham, England, to a charitable organization in the small city of Barretos in the state of São Paulo.
The organization runs a home that receives patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer at the city’s Hospital de Amor and cannot afford lodging nearby. The shelter is run by the Father Roberto Lettieri Institute and, according to the entity itself, Richarlison’s help covers about 20% of the institution’s monthly costs.
Currently, the shelter has the capacity to receive 35 people, including adults and children in treatment and those who accompany them. There, everyone receives daily meals, transportation to the hospital, and psychological and spiritual support. Children also have access to a playroom and leisure activities to help them face the difficult moments of their treatment.
The beginning of a story of solidarity
The team’s player number 9 started helping the home in Barretos after a loved one, whom he considers a second mother, needed treatment in the city. Richarlison explained to ESPN Brazil:
She was treated at the Hospital de Amor, in Barretos, which is a reference point in cancer treatment in Brazil (…). As thanks, since that time, I decided to support the Father Roberto Lettieri Institute, which receives children who are being treated at the Hospital of Love and their companions, since many people come from far away for treatment and cannot always afford to stay in the city.
The soccer player striker went on to say, “I think this encourages other people to help their neighbor (…) I do it from the heart.”
And today we celebrate...