Messi donates €80,000 for Madrid wildfire recovery

Lionel Messi has donated €80,000 to support the reconstruction of Spain's wildfire-ravaged Sierra Oeste region, extending a helping hand to communities devastated by the recent blaze in the Madrid area.

The donation by the Inter Miami star was announced by Madrid regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso, who thanked the Argentine forward for his contribution.

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"Messi has donated €80,000 for the reconstruction of Madrid's Sierra Oeste region," Ayuso wrote on social media.

Leo Messi ha donado 80.000€ para la #reconstrucción de la Sierra Oeste de Madrid. 

Quiero darle las gracias y decirle que los madrileños esperamos recibirle pronto para darle el aplauso que se merece; Isabel Díaz Ayuso (@IdiazAyuso) August 4, 2026

 "I want to thank him and tell him that the people of Madrid hope to welcome him soon to give him the applause he deserves," she added.

The Sierra Oeste region has suffered extensive damage from the devastating wildfires that swept through the area over the past few weeks. Although the blaze, which burned for nearly two weeks, is now under control, authorities say the situation has yet to return to normal.

Emergency personnel continue to monitor the affected areas to prevent any fresh flare-ups, while firefighters worked overnight to contain remaining hotspots and keep watch over smouldering sections, particularly around the San Juan reservoir.

Access remains restricted to seven residential areas in Pelayos de la Presa and San Martín de Valdeiglesias, while the San Juan reservoir and Alberche beach also remain closed to the public. Around six kilometres of the M-957 road also remains shut because of the wildfire.