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Footballer Marcus Rashford on the conversation with Barack Obama: "I really enjoyed every minute" (archive image)
Photo: Giuseppe Maffia / imago images / sportphoto24
The once most powerful man in the world in a discussion with an English soccer star - can that work out?
It can.
Barack Obama and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford have now proven this in a video link.
The two exchanged ideas about how to give something back to your local community as a successful person.
The meeting was organized by the publisher Penguin House, where Obama published a book last year.
Rashford made headlines last year for campaigning in the corona crisis to ensure that hundreds of thousands of children in England continue to receive free school meals.
Unlike in Scotland and Wales, a support program for those in need in England should initially be discontinued.
After Rashford's appeal, the government finally gave in.
Rashford was later awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his commitment.
As reported by the Guardian, among others, the two received a lot of praise for each other.
"If I had had more talent, I would probably have preferred to become a professional athlete, like Marcus," Obama said in a video sequence already published on Twitter.
“Many of the young people I meet - including Marcus - are way ahead of me, considering where I was when I was 23.
They are already changing something and bringing positive energy into their communities, ”Obama praised the footballer, according to the Guardian.
Rashford sees parallels in childhood
Rashford, on the other hand, saw parallels in their childhoods.
"It didn't take me long to realize how similar our childhood experiences were in making us the men we are today - adversity, obstacles, all of that," Rashford said.
"I really enjoyed every minute".
Before the meeting, the footballer was apparently quite excited.
It is "pretty surreal" that he is now sitting in his kitchen in Manchester and talking to Obama.
However, this immediately relieved him of his nervousness.
"When Obama speaks, all you want to do is listen."
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