Rise like Rashford

Fans of Rashford support him at his mural in Manchester. Pic/Twitter

Marcus Rashford backed his talent and insatiable passion for football as a young middle-class lad growing up in South Manchester. He worked hard to maximise his limited opportunities so he could realise one goal: to pursue football at the highest level. Soon enough, he was drafted into the national football team. Rashford was living his dream.

But on the night of July 12, in London's packed Wembley Stadium, playing in his most important match till then, that script went horribly wrong. He missed a penalty in the final of Euro 2020 against Italy. England lost. A nation went into mourning. Rashford became the target of racial abuse on social media, along with two of his black teammates who had also missed their penalties in that ill-fated encounter. Overnight, fans rallied around these champions. Handwritten notes and messages of support poured in, ranging from schoolchildren to grandmothers. Soon, he made a powerful comeback with a post: ‘I'm Marcus Rashford, 23, Black.'

It was against this backdrop that You Are A Champion (Pan Macmillan), a book written by Rashford and Carl Anka arrived for review. As we turned the pages of this seamlessly structured book on life lessons by the popular Manchester United forward, there was no doubt in our mind why the book is already a favourite among middle- and high-schoolers across England. It draws the young reader in immediately, and doesn't dole out preachy sermons at any point. In Rashford's simple language, he encourages kids to be comfortable with who they are. He uses relatable examples from his growing-up days to reiterate that kids are already champions - they just might not know it yet. He doesn't hesitate to strip bare his fears, a far cry from the cool footballer image.

What we liked as a curious reviewer who is neither a parent nor a crazed football fan, is that it reached out to us as a refreshing, eye-opening chat that happens when an old friend drops by unannounced. The gyaan can get a tad predictable at times, and yet, you continue reading it because of Rashford's child-like enthusiasm for the game. Every chapter ends with a few DIY exercises to jog the mind and seeks out honest feedback.

Rashford missed that crucial penalty but going by the intent of this book where he draws from football to approach life like a boss, it's only a matter of time before he returns to form on the field after that unsavoury setback.

Available at Local bookshops, e-bookstores

The Guide's essential Olympics reading list

1) The Most Incredible Olympic Stories by Luciano Wernicke
2) Olympics: The India Story by Boria Majumdar and Nalin Mehta
3) Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics by Jules Boykoff
4) Fire on the Track: Betty Robinson and the Triumph of the Early Olympic Women by Roseanne Montillo
5) How to Watch the Olympics by David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton