Ibrahimovic Launches Online Coronavirus Fundraiser
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has launched an online fundraiser aimed at raising €1m for hospitals helping to fight the Coronavirus pandemic in Italy.
Italy is in lockdown as the country struggles to deal with the disease.
31,500 cases have been recorded in the country while 2,503 people have lost their lives, making Italy the second-worst affected country after China, where the virus originated.
Ibrahimovic has spent close to eight years of his playing career in Italy, turning out for Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
The 38-year-old former Sweden international has donated €100,000 to kickstart the fund and has encouraged his fellow professionals to follow suit.
"Hi, I'm Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Italy has always given me so much and in this dramatic moment, I want to give back even more to this country that I love," he said in a video posted on Twitter.
"I decided together with the people who are working with me to create a fundraiser for Humanitas hospitals and to use my communication power to spread the message wider.
"It's a serious issue and we need concrete help that's not just about a video. I count on the generosity of my colleagues, of all professional athletes and of those who want to make a small or large donation according to their possibilities to kick this virus away.
"Together we can really help hospitals and doctors and nurses who selflessly work everyday to save our lives because today we are the ones sharing for them.
"Let's together kick the coronavirus away and win this match and remember, if the virus doesn't go to Zlatan, Zlatan goes to the virus."
Ibrahimovic returned for a second spell at AC Milan in the January transfer window and has so far scored four goals in 10 games across all competitions.
