Former US President Barack Obama has praised Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford for ‘making changes’ and being one of the ‘positive forces’ in communities.
Rashford, 23, last year launched a prominent campaign to tackle child food poverty in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 1.7million vulnerable children have been supported by a £520m Government scheme while other projects have helped deliver 130million meal.
His move has since received widespread praise and Sky Sports reported that the striker had the ‘surreal’ opportunity to speak with the former US President in a video call to discuss the power of young people.
“A lot of the young people I meet – including Marcus – they’re ahead of where I was when I was 23, the 44th United States President said in a video call organized by Penguin Books.
“They’re already making changes and being positive forces in their communities.”
Rashford added: “It’s quite surreal isn’t it? I’m sitting in my kitchen in Manchester, speaking to President Obama. But, immediately, he made me feel at ease.
“It wasn’t long before I realised just how aligned our experiences as children were in shaping the men you see today – adversity, obstacles and all.
“I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. When President Obama speaks, all you want to do is listen.”
Meanwhile, the Manchester United forward was subjected to another racial abuse on social media following Wednesday’s Europa League final, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Villarreal.
Reacting to the incident, Rashford wrote on Twitter: “At least 70 racial slurs on my social accounts counted so far. For those working to make me feel any worse than I already do, good luck trying.”
