Lionel Messi took to Instagram to honor and express gratitude to the real heroes fighting the coronavirus.Â
“Yesterday the World Health Worker Week came to an end and, together with @unicef, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the work they do,” Messi wrote via Instagram on Sunday.
“Anonymous heroes who endure long days and nights away from their families, so that ours can be safe from #COVID19.
“For continuing, despite everything, their noble commitment to caring for pregnant women, and keeping children and adolescents protected. #YoMeQuedoEnCasa #StayAtHome #Unicef.”
Messi was already hailed by famous sports psychologist Tom Bates for being a global leader in this crisis.Â
“The players that I have spoken with from the Premier League all the way through, they have different perspectives, naturally,” he told Stats Perform.
“One of the things that the guys have said is, ‘Well, actually at our club we are quite a wealthy club, so we could probably afford to keep our staff paid, but other clubs in different leagues won’t be able to do that’. Others feel like taking a pay cut to keep their staff on board is absolutely fine.
“The classic case is Leo Messi, who started this and was one of the first players to take a 70 per cent pay cut in order to make sure the staff at Barcelona were able to carry on working, and I think that really is a global example to everybody when you’re talking about that level in money in wages, and that type of athlete.
“I am very privileged: I have met Leo Messi and [Pep] Guardiola over there in Barcelona together as a team, and it doesn’t surprise me that they are leading the way with this.
“If there was going to be a global example of a player out there doing something for the greater good of their club – and he embodies that for me – so, in my professional opinion, if you can afford that and if you’re able to support by taking a pay cut, then clearly those who need it the most are going to benefit.”
Messi has just proven Bates right by this message of acknowledgement towards the real heroes of today – the health and essential workers.Â
We salute you.
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