Manchester United’s star forward, Marcus Rashford, recently shared a remarkable anecdote from his academy days involving two football legends, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rashford, 26, revealed that during their visit to the academy, he declined the opportunity to take a photo with them, expressing his desire to do so only when he played alongside them.
Reflecting on the moment in his column for The Players’ Tribune, Rashford recalled, “I remember around that time, when I was still trying to get signed, Wazza and Cristiano came by to do something with all the academy lads, and I was just looking at them in awe, you know what I mean?”
He continued, “They had a photographer there, and at the end all us kids had a chance to get a picture with them, and I remember hanging in the back away from everyone. I remember my brother saying, ‘Go take a picture with Wazza, bro! What are you doing???’”
Rashford’s determination and belief in his own abilities shone through as he stated, “‘I’m going to be playing alongside them some day’.”
Sharing insights into his background, Rashford emphasized, “I think I was the only kid who didn’t get a photo. After we had turned down the money, there was just this hunger inside me. I didn’t see myself as a kid anymore. I had to grab my opportunity and change our lives, period.”
His journey from the streets of Manchester to the pinnacle of football success resonates deeply with his roots. Rashford’s commitment to his dreams paid off when he made his debut for Manchester United in a memorable 5-1 victory over FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, where he netted two goals.
Having shared the pitch with Rooney and later Ronaldo, Rashford’s story epitomizes the triumph of determination and perseverance.