Brazilian legend Ronaldo has hailed the potential of Marcus Rashford, saying he is reminded of himself while watching the young sensation play. The 18-year-old has been a breath of fresh air for Manchester United this term, providing crucial goals in the second half of the season to keep Louis Van Gaal’s men in contention for the last European spot remaining.
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In just 15 appearances for the Old Trafford side, he has already racked up seven goals, with four of them coming in just nine Premier League appearances. And now, two-time World champion Ronaldo Nazario De Lima who knows a thing or two about goalscoring has given his opinion on the teenager.
In an interview with Sunsport he said, “He's a very good young player. I see some of myself in him for sure - he has courage and he's fast and is very good with the ball.”
"I think for the strikers they have to be hungry to score and I see that with him. He has an amazing future."
O Fenomeno, as Ronaldo was fondly known throughout his playing career, is known to be one of the greatest players of all time with several pundits and critics hailing him as the best striker of his generation.
Apart from the 2002 World Cup, he has also won various individual trophies such as the FIFA World Player of the Year thrice and the Ballon Dor twice. Known for his speed, dribbling and incredible eye for goal, he was also the all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup history, until Miroslav Klose overtook him in the 2014 edition of the tournament.
For Rashford, to be even compared to Ronaldo by the man himself will come as a huge boost of confidence and should provide him with an even higher sense of self-belief to carry on in the fashion that he has so far.
Rashford has also been touted as a possibility for England in the European Championships that will take place in France this year. But Ronaldo feels, even without him, the Three Lions are the favorites heading into the much-awaited tournament.
"In the qualifiers they had 10 matches and 10 victories. I think England are the favorites to win. You have the best qualifying performance. I would love to see England win. In England people love football so much, you deserve to win with the national team,” he said.
