Arguably the world’s finest footballer has given a fundraiser in aid of local injured footballers Shaun Whiter and Joey Abbs a massive boost by donating a signed shirt.

Five-time Ballon D’or winner and Barcelona star Lionel Messi has donated a personally signed 2016/17 shirt, which will go to auction to raise funds for Shaun and Joey at Cambridge United’s Football Family Day on October 9.

Messi’s team mate and Turkish international, Ardu Turan, has also donated a signed shirt, and both pieces of rare memorabilia will go up for sale alongside an England shirt signed by the entire first team squad, signed Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham shirts and shirts personally signed by Wayne Rooney and John Terry.

The auction will follow an 11-a-side tournament between Soham Town Rangers, Newmarket Town, Cambridge City and Fulbourn Institute.