Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford last night took to Twitter to issue a powerful statement in wake of the Euro 2020 final defeat.
Rashford, who was involved scarcely throughout the Euro 2020 tournament, having finished the season with injury trouble, was picked by Gareth Southgate to take a penalty in Sunday’s shootout.
While the Man United forward is usually so reliable from the spot, he struck his effort against the post, giving the Italians a leg-up in their efforts to be crowned champions of Europe.
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After taking the best part of 24 hours to reflect on what was likely the worst night of his career, Rashford logged onto Twitter to issue an impassioned statement.
Rashford apologises for the penalty miss, but insists he will always take pride in the man that he is and the roots from which he grew. This is a quite remarkable read.
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) July 12, 2021
For someone who has contributed such a great amount on and off the pitch, Rashford has to be one of the most critiqued players in English football. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Rashford is an icon and a role model for so many of the next generation. They will approach even the most impossible of tasks with a spring in their step, using his success as an example of how they really can achieve anything.
He need not apologise for missing a penalty, because what he has contributed to his own community, and his influence across the country, is far more significant than a game of football.
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