Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, Feb. 1, 2020. (Photo by Jack Chan/Xinhua)
Brazilian football star Neymar has thrown weight on a campaign to help underprivileged families in Brazil amid coronavirus outbreak.
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has backed a campaign to help underprivileged families in Brazil cope with the coronavirus outbreak.
Led by Brazilian television personality Luciano Huck, the initiative also has the support of dual world surfing champion Gabriel Medina and other Brazilian celebrities.
Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina in action during the first round of the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal surfing event as part of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour at Supertubos Beach in Peniche, Portugal, 18 October 2016. (EPA/Carlos Barroso)
The campaign calls on Brazilians to donate money - either directly or through charity organizations - to those in need, regardless of the amount.
"Solidarity must be more contagious than the virus," Neymar said in a video posted on social media.
Medina added: "Now more than ever we need to give a hand to others."
The Brazilian government on Thursday announced a monthly subsidiary of 600 reais (120 U.S. dollars) for low-income workers and small entrepreneurs as many states impose lockdowns that effectively halt the informal economy. ■