Rashford ‘lost love for football’ after racism storm in heartbreaking confession

Marcus Rashford admits he fell out of affection with soccer after being the sufferer of horrendous racism in response to England’s Euro 2020 closing defeat to Italy. The Manchester United ahead was one among three stars to overlook within the penalty shoot-out at Wembley Stadium and has opened up on its subsequent impression.

It was occasion time in England at 8.02pm on July 11, 2021. Luke Shaw has fired England forward within the second minute of a world closing earlier than a house crowd.

Then Leonardo Bonucci equalised with 23 minutes to go. Then got here penalties. Then… the remaining was historical past.

Gareth Southgate introduced on Rashford and United team-mate Jadon Sancho on the finish of extra-time, particularly for the penalty kicks.

But each fluffed their traces, together with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, serving to Italy break English hearts to change into European champions.

The aftermath produced scenes on social media infinitely worse than something that would’ve occurred on the soccer pitch.

Rashford, Sancho and Saka had been subjected to vile racist abuse, primarily from nameless accounts on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

And talking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet, Rashford has revealed the damaging toll it took on his psychological well being.

He mentioned: “I maybe lost my love for football a little bit [after being racially abused following Euro 2020].

“My shoulders had been additionally down for a few months, and that is most likely when it was taking part in on my thoughts a bit of bit.”

However, all three players have come through the racism storm. Rashford, particularly, is thriving, recording a career-best 30-goal season in 2022/23.

And he’s now eyeing success with England ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany, where he will hope to finally cement himself as an undroppable member of Gareth Southgate’s squad.