Algeria’s soccer players celebrate as they are welcomed by fans in downtown Algiers, after returning from the 2014 World Cup. REUTERS/Louafi Larbi

Algiers — The Algerian national football team will donate their entire World Cup prize fund to the embattled people of Gaza.

According to quotes attributed to Algeria’s star striker Islam Slimani, Algerian players will give up all of the estimated $9 million they received as valiant losers in the round of 16.

Though Slimani himself plays for Sporting Lisbon and is touted for an even bigger move this summer, the reported donation will be a greater sacrifice for members of the squad based at more modest clubs in Algeria, Tunisia, the lower French leagues and Watford.

Speaking at a reception in Algiers, where the team returned to a hero’s welcome on Monday, June 30, Slimani  said: “They need it more than us.” The announcement was reported by the Jordanian football writer Waleed Abu Nada, as well as the Dutch daily newspaper, Algemeen Dagblad.

The Algerian team had already won support from around the world for its gutsy and creative performances throughout the tournament against more favored nations.

Algeria reached the knockout stages for the first time their history when a second-half Slimani goal saw the team go through against Russia – and at Russia’s expense.

The North African nation’s World Cup dream came to an end after the team narrowly lost to Germany in extra time after managing to stay leveled with the three-time world champions for an entire 90 minutes.