The Pope presented with a Martinez shirt
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has today presented Pope Francis with a signed Lisandro Martinez Manchester United shirt during an audience with an interfaith group from the city at The Vatican.
Pope Francis, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is known to be a keen football fan and an admirer of our centre-back Martinez.
When the club and player were informed of the visit by the group led by Mayor Burnham, it organised a shirt gladly signed by World Cup winner Licha.
Good morning @LisandrMartinez.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) April 20, 2023
We are about to give your gift to the Holy Father!@Pontifex @VaticanNews @ManUtd
I think @Pontifex particularly appreciated this gift, presented by @AndyBurnhamGM and the Lord Mayor. pic.twitter.com/rE0lQdvcQl
— Chris Trott (@ChrisTrott) April 20, 2023
The shirt also carried a personal message from Martinez that read ‘Su Santidad, Con mucho cariño, LM.’, translating to 'Your holiness, with much love, Licha'.
LATEST FROM LICHA
Earlier this week, Martinez confirmed “everything went well” during his surgery to repair the fractured metatarsal that he suffered at Old Trafford last week.
The fans' favourite was forced off during our Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla and it was later confirmed that he will miss the rest of this season.
The Old Trafford hero has posted a photo of himself post-surgery on social media, with the caption: “Everything went really well, thanks to God! Many thanks for all of your messages. Now focusing on the recovery.”