Manchester was enveloped in a wave of warmth and humanity this morning, as Manchester United captain Harry Maguire made a surprise donation of $30 million from his prize money and endorsement deals to Shelter UK, a charity that supports homeless people across the UK.
In a statement that quickly went viral on social media, Maguire explained why he decided to take the action that moved the whole of England:
“I have seen too many people sleeping on the streets of Manchester, right next to Old Trafford. No one should have to live like that – especially this winter.”
Within hours of the news being revealed, social media exploded. From fans, teammates, to the world’s top football stars – everyone praised Maguire’s “great and humble” action. The hashtag #CaptainWithAHeart became a global trend in just 30 minutes, with millions of shares and emotional comments.
A Shelter UK employee said in an interview with Daily Football: “We have never seen an athlete do something like this on this scale. $30 million will change thousands of lives — not just the money, but the hope, the message that everyone deserves to be cared for.”
A source from inside Manchester United revealed that Maguire had no intention of making the donation public at first. He wanted to do it quietly, but it was the charity staff who shared the information to spread the positive spirit. A close teammate of his whispered to the press: “Harry is not a person who likes to brag. He just wants to help out. There are times when he leaves training and drives to Shelter himself to hand out clothes and food.”
The incident became even more touching when a video went viral, recording Maguire standing talking and hugging a homeless man outside the center of Manchester. In the video, the man burst into tears when he received words of encouragement: “You still have a chance. Don’t give up.”
The international football community expressed their admiration. Former legend Gary Neville wrote: “That’s what makes a true captain. Not just leadership on the field, but also an example off it.”
In the context of Man United facing many difficulties on the field, Maguire’s actions are like a rare bright spot of humanity, making global fans temporarily forget the controversies and unwanted results. One fan wrote online:
“We used to criticize him for his mistakes in defense, but today, the whole world must bow down to the heart of Harry Maguire.”
From a player who was once ridiculed, Maguire is now praised as a symbol of kindness – the “captain with a heart of gold” of the Red Devils. And perhaps, football lovers have never felt so proud of a Manchester United player.
