Rashford: “I will never apologize for who I am”

Marcus Rashford, who was exposed to racist attacks, published a statement from his social media account.

Playing in the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966, England lost to Italy at Wembley as a result of penalty shootouts.

Young Brits Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, who could not hit the penalty shootout, were subjected to racist attacks.

While the entire public, especially the English Football Federation, showed great reactions to this ugly event, Rashford, one of the names that was the target of the attacks, also published a statement from his social media account.

Marcus Rashford used the following expressions in the statement he published: “I don't even know where to start, how to put into words what I'm feeling right now.”

“As everyone knows, I left behind a difficult season and probably went to the final with a lack of confidence.”

"I'm always confident about penalties but things didn't go well in the final."

“I bought myself some time running towards the ball to make the shot, but I couldn't get the shot I wanted. I feel disappointed and let down my teammates, everybody.”

“I could only help my team by turning that penalty into a goal. I can turn penalties into goals even in my sleep, why couldn't I score it? The moment I miss the penalty, I keep going back and forth and I can't really put my feelings into words."

“The final game, 55 years from now, one penalty shootout and history… I can only say I'm sorry, I wish things had been different.”

“While I am expressing my regret, I also want to call out to my teammates. I had one of the best camps of my life this summer and you all had a hand in it.”

“A bond of brotherhood has been established between us that cannot be broken in any way. Your success is my success or your failure is my failure.”

“Throughout my sports career, I've gotten used to reading things that are said about myself. I read about my skin color, where I was born, or what I've been doing off the court lately."

"I can always handle criticism about my performance on the pitch, the penalty I took wasn't good enough and I should have scored."

“But I will never apologize for who I am and where I came from. The moment I was most proud of in my life was when I wore the 'Three Lions' crest on my chest and my family cheered for me with thousands of people. I always dreamed of that day.”

“I am also grateful for the messages of support I received today, and feeling the support of people in Withington brought me to tears.”

“I am Marcus Rashford, 23 years old, black from Wythenshawe, South Manchester. At least I have that.”

“Thank you for all your support. I will come back stronger, together we will come back stronger.”