With millions facing hardships during these unprecedented times, Rafael Nadal and NBA star Pau Gasol took it upon themselves to start an initiative.

The Spanish duo launched the #NuestraMejorVictoria campaign in March, with the aim of raising funds to fight COVID-19 in Spain. The goal was to raise €11m and help citizens who were in need during the pandemic. However, in an Instagram Live chat, they confirmed that they had surpassed that goal by raising over €14m.

“Between us all, we have managed to do something important and beautiful,” said Nadal. “Not only the money raised, which exceeded €14m, but also the solidarity and teamwork shown during difficult times. What you and I did between us was light the flame and contribute our grain of sand. Thank you to all those who wanted to be part of this beautiful and important initiative”.

In addition to Spanish athletes, the campaign enjoyed the support of other athletes like Novak Djokovic, who were eager to assist during these difficult times.

“We value things when we can’t have them,” added Nadal. “From this crisis, what we should learn is not to get so annoyed or frustrated about things that are really relatively unimportant. Personally, I found it hard, we’ve been on pause for two and a half months. I was with my sister, my wife... For people who are still working at home on their computers I think it has been a little less difficult, because they killed at lot of time doing what they’re used to. In my case, it is different, moving from one place to another non-stop, travelling, and suddenly it was such a complete shutdown that I needed time to take it in.”

“I’m going through a process of recovery and rehabilitation, I didn’t have that hunger to play and compete,” said Gasol. “I was used to moving a lot, it gave me good times and bad.”

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