Mbappe was one of the first of many to reach out to Rashford
Kylian Mbappe was reportedly amongst the first to reach out to Marcus Rashford after his penalty heartache on Sunday night.
Rashford was one of three England players who failed to convert their penalties in the shootout defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020.
The Manchester United striker apologised for his miss in a heartfelt statement posted to his social media accounts on Monday evening. He also used the opportunity to thank those who had sent him messages of support in the aftermath of the defeat – and the disgusting racist abuse which targeted the England players who missed in the shootout.
The football world unites in support of Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fUASVIgdVU
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 13, 2021
According to The Athletic, Mbappe was quick to send an empathetic private message to Rashford after the final. The Paris Saint-Germain went through a similar experience with France two weeks prior, failing with his spot-kick to hand Switzerland a shock victory in the last 16 stage. Though the exact wording of his message to Rashford has not been disclosed, he is understood to have referenced this.
A mural of Rashford was defaced in Withington in the hours after England’s defeat by the Azzurri. It has since been covered in messages of support for the 23-year-old – something which he also acknowledged in his statement on Monday.
“The messages I’ve received today have been positively overwhelming and seeing the response in Withington had me on the verge of tears,” it reads.
“The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up. I’m Marcus Rashford, 23 years old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that.”
