How would Marcus Rashford have felt on Monday? A day after his missed penalty in the decisive penalty series of the European Championship final, which England eventually lost to Italy. Curses flew online, often with racist undertones, and a mural with his image was also smeared. The Manchester United attacker responded via Twitter on Monday evening.
“I don’t know where to start,” he says. “I can’t describe how I feel right now. I’ve had a difficult season. Everyone could have seen that. And that’s probably why I went into that final with a lack of confidence. Normally I’m confident for a penalty kick, but now I felt something wasn’t right. Due to the long run, I bought myself some time, but unfortunately without the hoped-for result. It felt like I was abandoning my teammates, like I was abandoning everyone. It was the only thing expected of me: to score a penalty. I score penalties with my eyes closed, so why not? Ever since I hit that ball, that miss has been playing over and over in my head and there are probably no words to describe what that feels like.”
In addition, Rashford also addressed his teammates. ‘The finale. 55 years. One penalty. History. Sorry is all I can say. I wish it had turned out differently. While I continue to apologize, I also want to address my teammates. This summer has been one of the best campaigns I’ve been through and you guys played a part in it one by one. A brotherly bond has been forged that cannot be broken. Your success is my success. Your failures are mine.’
‘Don’t apologize for my origin’
But besides apologies and compliments to his teammates, the attacker also had to say something else. Not surprisingly, it was also about all the curses and insults. “I grew up in a sport that I know I will read things about myself. Whether it’s about my skin color, my background, or how I use my time off the field. I can criticize my performance. My penalty was not good enough, he had to go in. But I will never apologize for who I am or for where I come from. I never feel prouder than when I wear the badge of the Three Lions on my chest and when I see my family cheering me on from the stands in a crowd of thousands of people. I dreamed of days like this.’
“The messages I received today were overwhelming, in a positive way. Also, the reaction of the people in Withington – where local residents hanged hearts and left messages of support for the Rashford mural vandalized last night – almost made me cry. The communities that have always put their arms around me still do. I’m Marcus Rashford. A 23-year-old black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I don’t have anything else, I still have it.’
With the words “I will return stronger,” Rashford concluded his emotional message.
Politicians go off the rails
On the eve, before Rashford’s message was posted, there was consternation across the channel about a message from British MP Natalie Elphicke. She had sent a message to some colleagues saying that ‘Rashford should have spent a little more time perfecting his game, and a little less time playing politician’.
She is referring to the fact that Rashford openly speaks out against famine and (child) poverty. However, the message leaked out and brought her a storm of criticism.
She quickly apologized. “Last night I shared the frustration and disappointment of millions of other England fans. However, I regret sending a sharp response about Marcus Rashford on a whim and would like to apologize to him for any insinuation that he is not fully focused on football.
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