The Moroccan national football team took a break from training on Sunday to donate blood to those in need after the devastating earthquake that struck the country.
At least 2,012 people died as a result of a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred southwest of Marrakech, Morocco.
The largest earthquake to hit the nation in 120 years, according to the Interior Ministry, left at least 2,059 people injured; 1,404 of them were in serious condition.
The Moroccan Atlas Lions, who were scheduled to play Liberia in an African Cup of Nations qualification match, confirmed on Saturday that the game has been postponed with the Confederation of African Football’s approval due to the damage.
The football players, as shown in the video posted online, donated blood to earthquake victims rather than using the extra time to train, sharing their experience in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A number of athletes, including Cristiano Ronaldo, expressed their condolences to the victims on social media.
Moroccan actor Achraf Hakimi posted on Instagram, “It is time to help each other save as many lives as possible. My sympathies to everyone who lost a loved one.
Walid Cheddira, a forward, penned, “My heart hurts for my homeland. Not everyone finds it simple to live in the present. All the victims and injured are in our prayers. Allah be pleased with them.
Cristiano Ronaldo sent his “love and prayers to all in Morocco at this very difficult time,” along with other athletes’ condolences from across the sporting world.
On the Chinese version of X, formerly called Twitter, Weibo Ronaldo’s post drew the attention of football fans, and on Sunday, the message of the player was trending.
On Tuesday, the Atlas Lions will take on Burkina Faso in a friendly encounter in France.