Why Zlatan Ibrahimovic Tattooed 50 Names on His Body for the United Nations

Today, 805 million people suffer from hunger in the world: an enormous figure that does not often make the headlines. To draw attention to this problem, the United Nations World Food Programme – the largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide, initiated the ‘805 million names’ awareness campaign, starring football player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“Each one of the 805 million people suffering from hunger in the world has a name, a voice, a story to share”, says Marina Catena, WFP’s Director for France who initiated this creative partnership with the champion.

The 805 campaign is all about bringing attention to the names that no one cheers for. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) striker and captain of the Swedish national team, put his talent and fame to the service of WFP to bring to light the reality of those suffering from hunger, whether they are struck by war, natural disasters or extreme poverty. To give voice to these people, Zlatan revealed, during a live football match Saturday night, the names of 50 individuals, all suffering from hunger – tattooed to his torso.

“Wherever I go people recognize me, call my name, cheer for me. But there are names no one cares to remember. That no one cheers for: the 805 million people suffering from hunger in the world today. I have supporters all over the world. From now on I want this support to go to the people who really need it. So whenever you hear my name, you will think of their names. Whenever you see me, you will see them”, said football player Zlatan Ibrahimović.