Xavi donates yacht to help refugee crisis in Mediterranean Sea

The former Barcelona midfielder is working alongside non-governmental organisation Proactivia Open Arms, who are currently stationed in Lesbos

Xavi, speaking in a video message for Proactivia Open Arms (Facebook / Proactivia Open Arms)

Xavi, the former Barcelona player, has donated his yacht to a non-governmental organisation helping those caught up in the ongoing refugee crisis.

The 36-year-old midfielder, who now plays for Qatari club Al Sadd SC, is working alongside Proactivia Open Arms (POA), who are dedicated to saving lives at sea.

The yacht itself will not be used in operations to save lives at sea but will be auctioned, with the proceeds going towards POA’s work in the Mediterranean.

The POA released a video of Xavi handing the yacht over to their organisation on Facebook.

“[Xavi] met our work a while ago and decided to donate his yacht to obtain more resources in order to ensure the permanence of the mission," the organisation wrote in a message.

“Thank you, Xavi, gestures like yours, will save many lives,” the POA added.

The POA are currently stationed in Lesbos, a Greek island which received more than 55,000 refugees in the first six months of the year.

At least 3,000 refugees have died while attempting to cross the water from war-torn regions in north Africa and the Middle East since January, with 2016 on course to be the deadliest year on record.