TOTTENHAM star Pedro Porro will donate part of his salary to help with the clean-up of flood-hit Valencia.
Spain is in mourning after more than 200 people were killed in the catastrophe, which began on Tuesday following a period of intense rainfall.
AlamyPedro Porro will donate part of his salary to the Valencia relief fund[/caption]
AFPFloods have devastated Valencia[/caption]
EPAThe horrific weather conditions have caused a huge amount of damage to the area[/caption]
It was the worst flood to hit the country for decades which saw bridges collapse and nearby towns covered in thick mud.
Spanish international Porro, who comes from humble beginnings himself, said he would be back in his homeland now helping with the tidy-up if his football schedule allowed.
Instead the 25-year-old is offering up some of his wages to go towards any resources needed to restore the area.
Porro, speaking after playing in Spurs’ 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, said: “First of all, I just want to say that, well, for a Spaniard, today, for all Spaniards, it’s a sad day.
“I think we’ve had three, four, five days of terrible suffering. I can’t even imagine what it’s like for everyone involved in Valencia.
“And, as I posted on social media, I want to dedicate this victory to them.”
Porro wrote a message on Instagram after the thumping win over top-four rivals Aston Villa that read: “Big result. I want to dedicate today’s win to all those who are currently suffering in Valencia at this extremely difficult time. You are in all of our prayers”, together with a black-coloured heart emoji.
Spurs and Villa’s players all wore black armbands during the game in tribute to the victims of the flood, which totalled a tragic 217.
Asked what it has been like for him watching on from England: “There’s a sense of helplessness.
“Helplessness about not being there, because I know what it’s like to be ‘in the mud’.
“I’d be the first one there to help, to show up, but I’m in London, I have competitions, I can’t.
“I’d say it’s helplessness because I’d like to help.
“But I’ve already spoken to my agents, and I’m going to donate part of my salary to cover whatever they need, to buy shovels, food, especially anything they need.”
Porro joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon for £40million, after an initial loan spell, in 2023.
He arrived from Sporting Lisbon, where he worked under incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
Porro praised Amorim for how he boosted his confidence after he joined the Portuguese side from Manchester City – and for how the 39-year-old’s 3-4-3 system suited his skillset.
The five-cap La Roja full-back said: “He’s a great coach. I worked with him for three years.
“He’s coming to one of the best stages in the world, which is the Premier League. I wish him the best and hope things go as well as possible for him.
“He helped me a lot with confidence. I think the confidence he gave me was fundamental for me, and that’s why, when I arrived at Sporting, things went well for me.
“The style of play also suited me well.”
Several players shared their condolences and sent well-wishes to those affected by the floods in Spain over the weekend.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed on Monday that fixtures around the country should not have taken place.
He explained: “I think the whole football world has been quite clear on this.
“Nobody wanted to play and that seemed to me to be the right decision. We are not the ones in charge and we have to respect the decision of those in charge.
“It’s very difficult to prepare for a match like this because you have it in your head all the time. What happened was unbelievable and terrible.
“It’s been a difficult week — it’s a difficult week because the atmosphere is not normal, but nothing to do with the Ballon d’Or, which has already happened and we congratulate the winners… The sadness is not there, but in what is happening here in Spain.”
A red warning is in place for Valencia with orange and yellow warnings along the east coast