"The only thing we gain from this initiative is losing hair. I've lost a lot these days », jokes on the other side of the phone Saúl Ñíguez, midfielder and fourth captain of Atlético de Madrid, trying to scratch a smile. As if it was already an eternity of ecstasy that both he and his teammates and fans lived on the Anfield lawn. But just over a week has passed. Of course, one of the longest in the lives of many people. The blame obviously lies with the damn coronavirus. The initiative to which Saúl refers has a first and last name: Saldremos Juntos (www.saldremosjuntos.com).

On Sunday night, a day after Pedro Sánchez declared the state of alarm in Spain, an idea began to run through his head. “Watching the increasingly dramatic situation on television, I spoke to my manager, Nasser [Hantout], and told him what I had thought. The truth is that he opened my eyes a little. He said it was not easy and that it would take time ». And yet, in just two hours I had a work team. It had launched a solidarity and non-profit platform to help SMEs and freelancers affected by the crisis. "I may be the visible head, but the heroes are others," adds the midfielder who, for a week, has been confined to his Madrid home with his girlfriend. There he follows the individualized training guidelines that Atlético has given to each player, as well as nutritional recommendations and diets.

Logically, most of the first ambassadors of his initiative are footballers. There is his teammate Álvaro Morata . Also old well-known rojiblancos like Óliver Torres or Miguel Ángel Moyá . Or the azulgrana Sergio Busquets , with whom he has shared costumes in the Spanish team. But, in addition, people from very different sectors such as Moto2 rider Jorge Martín , journalist Antonio Lobato , actress and presenter Sara Escudero or influencers Hamza Zaidi and Gigi Vives have joined. “Right now we are about 10 working on the project and there are times when we are overwhelmed. In my case not so much, because I dedicate myself to giving voice to this idea, meetings and attracting ambassadors. The people who work with me spend their free hours collaborating in this movement, because they also have to telecommute. So the more we are, the better, ”he adds, fully convinced of the solidarity action that has just been born.

"We hope that the Government joins"

The purpose is to try to provide SMEs and freelancers with an opportunity to return to normalcy when everything is over. Even before. Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't. But at least they have a chance. We hope that the Government joins in, ”says Saúl. A particular strategy will be applied to each company. The idea is to help with the money that people donate, but also with concrete actions. Although most of them do not run until society regains some calm.

Atlético, for example, has accepted their player's initiative to sell experiences to people: go to a training session, signed shirts or even hang out with the players. And in Saúl's specific case, make people know him personally or donate T-shirts or other products to carry out raffles. In addition, with the approval of his agency (Stellar Group), give to some solidarity cause the money generated by any act related to it. The companies that join will receive publicity so that people try to cushion this crisis as much as possible. The intention is to attract affected and self-employed companies to ask for the help they need through the website. And also, to attract the attention of other companies to contribute their resources, as well as to convince as many ambassadors as possible to lend their help and to prepare a strategy.

Export the idea to other countries

Of course, none of the experiences can be carried out until the Government gives permission. Meanwhile, the objective is to get people to join the project, both with financial donations and with professional contributions (programmers, strategists ...). "Little else can I do locked up at home and unable to leave," sighs the Atlético player, who throws the glove at teammates in other countries. "They could copy the model and help. It is a movement (#saldremosjuntos) that could become world famous because people could contribute their help in all the countries affected by this crisis, "he reflects in conversation with this newspaper.

Extreme situations like the one the country is experiencing, including the planet, generate happy ideas such as the one Saúl handles. "People need money and care. The toilets need rest because they are doing hours and more hours. They will have to ask for masks, gloves and material so that they can continue working in conditions ", he continues, before putting the final point. Hopefully it goes well. The important thing is that, if the movement does not generate everything expected, at least we will make noise so that the Government and the people above realize that they have to help these people. This crisis affects everyone ».

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports
  • First division
  • football
  • Coronavirus Special

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020Bewilderment in the Premier clubs: "Can you go to the supermarket with 50 people and not go running alone in the mountains?"

LaLigaThe doctor's warning voice about Joao Félix: "Be careful, because you have cramps"

LaLiga Atlético come back against Villarreal and continue on the wave