During a delegation’s private audience with Pope Francis to discuss climate change, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, presented the Pope with a signed jersey of Lisandro Martinez, which filled the Manchester United defender with pride and joy.
Martinez expressed his gratitude and happiness on Twitter after seeing his jersey being presented to the Pope. He also thanked Manchester United and Burnham for their kind gesture.
“Thank you to @ManUtd and @AndyBurnhamGM for presenting my shirt to que His Holiness Pope Francis, for whom I have great respect and feel huge pride as an Argentinian 🙏🏼♥️,” wrote the defender.
Martinez has made a significant impact at Manchester United since his arrival last summer, and his successful adaptation to life at Old Trafford has helped the team improve their performances compared to the previous season.
He also played a crucial role in Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 World Cup, which has earned him a place in his national side’s history. The acknowledgment from a highly respected personality like the Pope, who is also an Argentinian, would further enhance the defender’s already successful year.
Regrettably, Martinez sustained a fractured metatarsal during Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final clash against Sevilla, which resulted in him undergoing surgery and being ruled out for the remainder of the season. Currently, his priority is recuperating and returning to his full physical capabilities ahead of the upcoming campaign.
