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Argentina international Paulo Dybala, striker for Juventus Turin in Italy, has chosen, like his teammate Giorgio Chiellini, to join Common Goal, the charity movement launched in 2017 by Spanish footballer Juan Mata. He will be able to donate at least 1% of his salary to help populations in difficulty in the world.
« I already gave before, but I always did it anonymously, because the idea is not to advertise but to help those who need it, explains Dybala in an interview with the British daily The Guardian. But I think that taking part in this initiative and being part of the 159 people working together is important too. We want to work as a team and be in solidarity with those who are less fortunate than us. »
« I would like to be able to change the world »
The former Palermo player adds: “ It might sound silly, but I wish I could change the world, even in a tiny way. The truth is, football is a powerful weapon. Whatever the reason, the things we say are heard all over the world, footballers are listened to more than Presidents, Prime Ministers or important politicians. I believe we need to use this power given to us to send positive messages, and to be strong role models. »
In 2017, the Spanish international Juan Mata | had decided to donate 1% of its income to the Common Goal project, a foundation which brings together charities, most often intended to help underprivileged young people. ” It’s a small gesture that, if shared by everyone, can change the world “Explained the Manchester United midfielder who had called on his counterparts to follow suit. Germany international Mats Hummels will be the first to respond to his call. The American Megan Rapinoe, known for her fights for equal pay and against racial injustice, will be the third to follow suit, along with her teammate Alex Morgan.
Thirty-five members in the first year
Common Goals takes the form of a collective fund, which collects permanent donations from committed footballers. At the end of the first year, the movement has 35 members. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is one of them. The following year, an initiative was born: the Danish club FC Nordsjælland decided to pay 1% of its ticket office. At the same time, the Icelandic Alex Runar Runarsson, the goalkeeper of Dijon, is the first player of the French Championship to join the movement, at the end of 2017. Each member chooses a project that he will finance from the deduction from his salary as for example enabling the emancipation of women in India.
« We’re lucky to do a job we love and earn a lot of money for, testified on the website of Europort in 2019 William Troost-Ekong, Nigerian defender of Udinese in Italy. We also have a responsibility with this money because we have to try to have an impact on the world, whether for our own family, those around them or through charities. »
Now nearly 150 members including Jürgen Kloop
William Troost-Ekong who was born and raised in the Netherlands, chose an association operating in Nigeria, his second country, of which he wore the jersey during the CAN 2019 in Egypt. « Since I was very young, I have been able to see what poverty was and how lucky I was to live in Europe. I chose the YEDI Skills Girl project which helps vulnerable young girls by providing them with academic support, sexuality education and keys for their future life.. »
Common Goal currently has nearly 150 members including Liverpool coach Jürgen Kloop, who had signed up when he had just been voted best coach of the year in 2019 by FIFA.
Common Goal supports in particular the streetfootballworld network, a project bringing together 135 different charities that campaign for societal changes through football, relating to education, health, schooling, peace and even ecology, in 90 countries and intended for more than two million young people.
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