Winning the World Cup does a few things for a team/country. It raises awareness, injects an instant sense of national joy and pride, as well as get the winning athletes paid.
Paid A Lot.
But it can also do something else. It can help people who need it most. Germany was awarded a total of $35 million in prize money, with each member of the team receiving a reported 300,000 euros ($407,000). What did midfielder Mesut Ozil do with his share of the winnings? He donated the entire payday to 23 (one for each member of the German team) sick children in Brazil, so that they’re able to get operations they desperately need.
Post by Mesut Özil.
Celebrate on Deutschland, celebrate on.
[h/t Mesut Ozil, Bleacher Report]