Arsenal’s record signing Mesut Ozil celebrated last weekend’s World Cup victory by paying for 23 sick Brazilian children to have surgery.
The German, who helped his country clinch a fourth World Cup trophy in Rio on Sunday, paid for 11 procedures before the tournament – but has now pitched in with 12 more to replicate the size of the Germany squad.
The £42million midfielder said the gesture was a thankyou to the people of Brazil.
“It is not only due to 11 players but to our whole team, I will now raise the number to 23,” Ozil posted on facebook.
“This is my personal thankyou for the hospitality of the people of Brazil.”
Ozil’s offering is part of the BigShoe project, which helps children all over the world.
It started at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when money was collected for a child that required surgery.
Speaking on a Big Shoe project video in May, Ozil said: “A lot of children are shut out of our society, but we can help in improving their future living conditions.
“I love children, they are important to me and I want them to thrive, live their own life and have a good chance in the future.”
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