For Marcus Rashford, his football career is starting to come full circle. In March 2019, Manchester United supporters eulogised the Wythenshawe native after he stunned Paris Saint-Germain to fire their club into the Champions League quarter-finals.
A 94th-minute penalty demonstrated the ice-cold mentality England fans enjoyed on Tuesday night when Rashford’s dead-ball capabilities broke the deadlock against Wales. Three-and-a-half years ago, a certain Kylian Mbappe watched on as the Ligue 1 giants surrendered a two-goal advantage from the first leg to crumble on home soil.
Comparisons began to emerge between the two, with United supporters - perhaps in jest - claiming to have the better player. To this day, both players boast a similar style, preferring to operate from the left flank, using their pace and trickery to get into goalscoring positions.
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However, the gap between the two widened from that moment. Rashford suffered a crisis in confidence and struggles with inconsistent form were unfairly levelled towards the off-field duties which earned him an MBE in 2020.
On the other hand, Mbappe blossomed into a global superstar, earning lucrative sponsorship deals for his performances in France. Many have tipped the 23-year-old to carry the Ballon d’Or baton for years to come once Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo hang up their boots.
The forward is so devastating that many England supporters are beginning to fear him. Providing both nations progress unscathed in the last 16, a quarter-final clash between the two is set to take place next Saturday.
Three goals at the tournament so far has seen many back Mbappe to carry France to glory for the second time in his career. But Rashford, too, has also set the world alight and has so far been a match for his more illustrious rival.
The United man has scored the same tally in 101 fewer minutes, continuing his resurgent form under Erik ten Hag onto the biggest stage of all. International tournaments provide the perfect opportunity for footballers to seize the day - and Rashford can be England’s talisman.
Former Red Devil - and Frenchman - Louis Saha hailed the forward as “the same level” as Mbappe last week. He told Lord Ping : “I really like Marcus Rashford. He can be a starter - he’s such a talent and threat.
“In less than 20 minutes against Iran, he showed how dangerous he can be. I love Harry Kane, but Rashford is just a humongous talent and I love to see him at this level.
“Kane is the best player, but Rashford is my favourite player in the England squad because of his style and I enjoy watching him play. When Rashford has the eye of the tiger, he’s unplayable and at the same level as Kylian Mbappe.”
The eye of the tiger is exactly what Rashford has rediscovered. Club and country is benefitting from the confidence Ten Hag has instilled in him.
National-treasure status is already secured for his child poverty awareness but securing a World Cup would surely see Rashford trade that MBE in for a knighthood. Most pundits and supporters had tipped the United academy product to feature from the bench but, given his form, there is no chance Gareth Southgate can leave him out.
Upstaging Mbappe is a feat Rashford has achieved before. With new-found confidence and invaluable life lessons under his belt, there is no reason why the Manchester man cannot do it again.
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