“I lost my love for football” – Marcus Rashford on impact of being racially abused for England

"My shoulders were also down for a couple of months."

Marcus Rashford has revealed that he 'lost his love for football' after facing racial abuse from England supporters following their exit from the Euros. England had reached the final of Euro 2020 and their decider against Italy went to penalties, which they lost and the Man United striker was one of those who missed their spot kicks. This led to a barrage of racial abuse on social media, and even went as far as vandalising a mural dedicated to the player in Manchester. Speaking to Gary Neville on the latest episode of The Overlap, the sharp shooting Red Devil admits that it had an impact on him.

"I maybe lost my love for football a little bit [after being racially abused following Euro 2020], it was not for a long period of time,' Rashford said.

"My shoulders were also down for a couple of months, and that's probably when it was playing on my mind a little bit more.'After that, it was fine.

"I was desperate to get playing again in a United shirt – I love to just play football and as soon as I did that, I wanted to play for England again."

Rashford has turned his club career around drastically, as he went from being a struggling striker, to the team's top scorer last season. https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/1686996872575979520 However, he still hasn't been a regular starter for his country at an international tournament and he believes that he has merited that chance.

"It's massively important [for me to start for England in a major tournament]," Rashford said.

"There's been times in between major tournaments where I've started for 18 months, then it comes to the tournament and I'm not starting.

"It's important for me as a player to try and get that spot nailed down and try and bring my qualities to the team.

"We've got many good players, and there's a time for every player – but I've still not had my proper opportunity in major tournaments.

"If we get little things right, we can compete with the best teams in the world – as we’ve already shown. There’s still another step to take and I believe we can take it.

'"Everyone in the squad is at good ages. We’ve got a big opportunity that I don’t want to throw away."

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