Everyone loves a class act in the beautiful game. Football is played by most professional footballers to help earn a living for their families at any cost, but the odd story of a brilliant gesture ends up stealing the world’s attention and respect.
Such an instance of a class act has cropped up of late as Mario Mandzukic has decided to renounce his salary for the month of March after he was unable to make a single appearance for AC Milan throughout the month.
Mario Mandzukic’s switch to AC Milan in the winter transfer window after having his contract terminated at Qatari side Al Duhail has not really worked in his favour, as constant injuries have rendered him unavailable to be a massive cog of the Rossoneri’s plans to help contend for the Serie A title.
Mandzukic joined Milan on a contract that is to run until the end of the season, with the option to extend it by a further year – but the Croat centre forward’s return to Italy has not been the one that he had hoped for, having made only four appearances so far.
However, despite not making the headlines by grabbing a goal or two like he usually has done, Mandzukic has made the news again – for being an absolutely classy customer.
In light of his inability to be an option for the club for the entirety of the month of March, Mandzukic has asked not to receive his salary – for it to instead go directly to a charity.
Mario Mandzukic was injured and unavailable to play for AC Milan in March.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 16, 2021
He asked not to receive his salary for the month—instead, it went direct to charity. pic.twitter.com/m4oc6HJsMy
Milan President Paolo Scaroni applauded the act by calling it “an exceptional gesture,” one which demonstrates Mandzukic’s ethics and professionalism – as well as his respect for Milan.
The gesture has also been applauded by the football fraternity online, as one of Croatia’s best-ever players has received his due flowers for being an incredible footballer over the years – and for being a class act as well.
