Zlatan Ibrahimovic pays surprise visit to children from Manchester United Foundation partner schools and projects to hand out Christmas gifts

  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic surprised children of Manchester United Foundation
  • The United forward met the youngster and handed out Christmas presents
  • The nominated participants were shocked when Ibrahimovic walked through
  • They received a signed United shirt, a FIFA 18 video game and a baseball cap 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed his warm side by giving children from the Manchester United Foundation partner schools and projects a Christmas surprise they will never forget.

The United striker paid an unexpected visit to their AON Training Complex to hand out bags of Christmas presents to the children as part of the Foundation's mission to spread festive cheer across Greater Manchester.

The deserving participants, who have experienced a challenging year outside of school, were nominated by their Foundation coaches for the Christmas surprise from United's No 10.


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Zlatan Ibrahimovic paid a surprise visit to children from the Manchester United Foundation

Zlatan Ibrahimovic paid a surprise visit to children from the Manchester United Foundation

The youngsters were left stunned when Ibrahimovic entered the AON Training Complex

The youngsters were left stunned when Ibrahimovic entered the AON Training Complex

However, the youngsters were not aware Ibrahimovic would be coming to meet them and were led to believe it was just a leadership and training session with some Foundation coaches, as well as some young pupils from the club's partner primary schools.

The children were left stunned when Ibrahimovic interrupted the session by entering the Academy indoor training arena, bearing gifts. One little boy was particularity pleased to see Zlatan and ran over to him for a cuddle.

All the children received a signed United shirt, a FIFA 18 video game and a baseball cap, which was all donated by United's official club partners Uber, EA Sports and New Era.

One star-struck and clearly delighted participant was a nine-year-old boy named Shia, who described meeting the former Sweden international as the best day of his life.

He said: 'I can't believe I'm at the first-team training ground, and I've met Zlatan and he gave me FIFA 18 – I just can't believe it!

'I'm only nine years old and this is happening to me, it is the best day of my life!'

The United forward made a special delivery by handing out bags of Christmas presents

The United forward made a special delivery by handing out bags of Christmas presents

The nominated pupils received a signed United shirt, a FIFA 18 video game and a baseball cap

The nominated pupils received a signed United shirt, a FIFA 18 video game and a baseball cap

Another pupil, Kelly, who is a ball assistant at Old Trafford, also received a shock when she saw her favorite player Zlatan walk through the door.

'It was a massive surprise, I didn't expect it at all,' said Kelly. 'I love being a ball girl, and I'm used to seeing the players on the pitch, but Zlatan is my favourite player and I've never got to meet him properly before, so it was exciting – I'm still shaking!'

Speaking about the visit, Foundation primary schools manager Jennifer Mildenhall added: 'This is so inspirational to these children. The schools that we work in are fantastic with the pupils, but being able to offer them something extra will make it such a special Christmas for them.' 

Manchester United posted the heartwarming video of the children meeting Ibrahimovic on their official Twitter page on Sunday.

The event was among a number to have taken place in the build-up to Christmas, with many Foundation participants and United supporters receiving festive surprises ahead of the big day.

The children thought it was just a leadership and training session at United's training facilities

The children thought it was just a leadership and training session at United's training facilities

But the session was interrupted by Ibrahimovic much to the delight of the youngsters

But the session was interrupted by Ibrahimovic much to the delight of the youngsters

One little boy was particularity pleased to see Zlatan and ran over to him for a cuddle

One little boy was particularity pleased to see Zlatan and ran over to him for a cuddle

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