Pele Offers Marcus Rashford Advice Ahead Of Euro 2016

 

Pele has one piece of advice for Marcus Rashford heading to the European Championships in France this summer: Don’t be afraid. The Brazil legend was called up to his national team when he was only 16-years-old and won his first World Cup a year later in 1958.

Rashford, 18, was playing Under 21 football a year ago but his incredible rise has seen England manager Roy Hodgson roll the dice and throw him into his Euros squad.

Pele said “It doesn’t matter about age. It is important to be prepared. Never, never, never be afraid. Don't be afraid”. It was enough for Hodgson to call him up to train with the England first team while he deliberated over the squad to take to the tournament.  Then, after he became the youngest player to score on his England debut in a friendly against Australia last week, Hodgson made the call to put him in the 23-man squad.

Pele admits there are more pressures in the modern game than when he was a player but has backed Rashford to deal with it. He said “In my time I didn’t have so many pressures with the TV, the radio the communications. Now there is a big pressure. But if he has a good support from the team I think he has to have confidence and trust himself”.’