The most attractive thing about football is not only seeing different athletes seeking victory for their team in 90 minutes but the stories that lay behind it. Because, let’s face it, learning about the humble beginnings of the superstars is more appealing than the game itself. You end up identifying with the players, as they went through a lot to get where they are and continue to take actions to help others along the way without forgetting their origins. An example would be Marcus Rashford who, due to his current success as a player and charitable actions, was honored in his hometown of Manchester.
The 23-year-old striker, having participated in the latest Burberry campaign, the fashion house decided to immortalize Rashford with a mural painted in his native Manchester. The work was in charge of the artist Jazz Grant and shows moments of the football player’s childhood, as well as different portraits taken by photographer Rafael Pavarotti during the campaign with Burberry.
The Burberry initiative was in support of “the voices from the future”. For this, the company partnered with different organizations and personalities to provide help, protection, and support to those who need it most.
Now, why is Marcus Rashford chosen to be part of this campaign? It’s all due to his humble beginnings. Born in Manchester, but raised in Wythenshawe, the young Rashford had a difficult childhood with financial, academic, and even family problems.
His -single- mother Mel had to raise 5 children under the same roof. Despite working full time, the money was not enough to support them all.
During an interview with the BBC, Rashford was asked if he remembered ever being hungry in his life, to which the player answers affirmatively.
“If there was food on the table, there was food on the table. If there’s not, I had friends who understood my situation and maybe it was possible for me to go to their house to get some food”.
During the quarantine in England due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Marcus Rashford began a campaign in March together with the organization FareShare to provide complete meals to public schools, community centers, and anywhere in Manchester where young people in vulnerable situations attended. Originally the idea was to support 400,000 children, but the initiative – quickly – raised over £20 million and ended up helping more than three million children across England by June this year.
Due to this, and in addition to the growing popularity of the young soccer star, it is not surprising that he has been chosen to be part of the Burberry campaign. We hope Rashford follows this path and never forgets his origins as they were the foundations for being the great person he proves to be today.