Marcus Rashford's goal against covid-19 0:29
(CNN) -
It is not unusual for a footballer to score a hat-trick (three goals in the same game), even on a stage as great as the Champions League.
Although scoring three times in 16 minutes is certainly special.
That Marcus Rashford has accomplished such a feat in the same week that he once again caused a stir in the UK Government is extraordinary.
His detractors had told the Manchester United striker to stick with football, rather than trying to alleviate childhood hunger in England.
On a rainy Wednesday night in Manchester, where he came off the bench to score a wonderful hat-trick in United's 5-0 victory over RB Leipzig, the 22-year-old proved he could do both: play soccer brilliantly and at the same time, off the pitch, help the hungry children.
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His match-winning exploits came on the same day that his petition for children from poor families in England to receive free meals during the school holidays reached more than 1 million signatures.
However, the UK Government says it has put in place effective measures to support families.
After the match, Rashford tweeted: “3 goals, 16 minutes, 1,030,000 signatures.
I can't stop smiling, I've waited a long time for that.
I just wish the fans could experience it with me. "
3️⃣ goals
1️⃣6️⃣ minutes
1️⃣0️⃣3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ signatures
Can't stop smiling, I've waited a long time for that.
Just wish the fans were in to experience it with me ♥ ️https: //t.co/FvvpO6JYWX#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY pic.twitter.com/QJGJxSzTlj
- Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) October 28, 2020
English has done what many believed impossible in a country bitterly divided by Brexit and Covid-19: it has created a kind of consensus or as much solidarity as could be expected in these polarized times.
The usually tribal world of English football has even rallied to support the striker.
Leeds United, traditionally fierce rivals of nearby neighbors United, donated thousands of pounds this week to Rashford's campaign, pledging to stand 'together' to help feed vulnerable children.
Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, another northern English club with an intense rivalry with Rashford's side, described the player's campaign as "absolutely incredible".
"He plays for United, which makes it really difficult," Klopp told reporters this week.
"But right now we are, as footballers and as human beings, always united."
Support and detractors
Many other football clubs, as well as teams from other sports, including rugby, have supported his 'End Child Food Poverty' campaign.
Following the Tory government's rejection last week of the opposition Labor Party's motion to extend free school meals during school holidays in England until Easter 2021, Rashford's grassroots campaign drew a wave of support.
A growing number of businesses and city halls, including conservative-led local authorities across the country, are now offering food packages or meal vouchers - not to say Rashford is not without its critics.
Conservative lawmaker Mark Jenkinson said of the footballer that "pretending, scoring political points, doesn't help anyone," while James Cartlidge - banned from a "pub" and restaurant in his constituency for voting against extending the provision of free school meals according to the Daily Mail - said that "schools are not responsible for feeding students outside of school hours." The United player has also been charged with "signaling virtues," to which Rashford's response was to post a tweet on Wednesday that has so far received more than 80,000 likes: "Seriously, what is virtue signaling?"
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It has been a great year for the England international.
He has directed UK newsletters, dominated newspaper headlines, and been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) distinction on the Queen Elizabeth Birthday Honors List II for his work in the fight against food poverty.
As one of England's most talented players, Rashford has had the ability to influence others for several years, ever since he scored on his United debut in 2016 to become an instant hero, but during this troubled year his voice has never. been stronger.
A man with nearly 4 million followers on Twitter, 9 million on Instagram, and 6.5 million on Facebook has been influential, and in recent months Rashford has used his support effectively, retweeting from cafes, pubs, and restaurants around the world. the country on a timeline that now provides live updates on your campaign.
In June, eloquently and calmly making his case for providing free school meals to the poorest families in England during the summer school holidays, Rashford forced the government to take a 180-degree turn.
More than 1 million children benefited.
Rashford, born in Manchester to a single mother who grew up in one of the most deprived areas of the city, has raised millions in donations together with the food charity FareShare during the pandemic.
The youngest of five siblings, he has spoken of his own experience of food poverty, saying he depended on free school meals and "the kind actions of neighbors and coaches."
"The system was not built for families like mine to be successful, regardless of how hard my mother worked," he wrote in an open letter to UK lawmakers in June.
Rashford has proven to be a leader;
a player with drive and social conscience.
A self-made billionaire who has used his profile to make a difference during a once-in-a-generation pandemic that has brought heartache and hardship to many.
This is a United fan from childhood who had barely been wrong since he debuted for his hometown club;
He not only scored on his debut, but also found the net in his first English Premier League outing, his first Manchester derby and his first Champions League.
Perhaps none of the most powerful people appreciate the willpower it takes for a child from a low-income family to succeed in such a competitive industry, especially one of the most successful clubs in the world.
He is not one to give up easily, especially on a matter so close to his heart.
He has urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss a solution with him.
Despite mounting pressure to rethink even from his own lawmakers, Johnson said this week that he was "very proud of the support we have provided," noting that the government was supporting families with a £ social security increase. 20 (US $ 25) a week.
Johnson said city halls also received 63 million pounds ($ 81 million) to help people struggling to pay for food and essentials.
However, the Association of Local Governments said that this funding was meant to be spent before the end of September.
"We don't want children to go hungry this winter, this Christmas, certainly not as a result of this government's lack of care, and they are not going to see it," Johnson said.
Has the UK Government already lost and lost the public relations battle?
After attempts to provide 1.4 million underprivileged children in England with food stamps worth £ 15 a week (US $ 19) over the holidays were rejected, Rashford took to Twitter.
"Let's put aside all the noise, excavations, party politics, and let's focus on reality," he published.
"A significant number of children go to sleep tonight, not only hungry, but they feel they don't matter because of the comments that have been made today."
Rashford had already accomplished a lot in football;
representing his country in a European Championship and a World Cup, scoring 74 goals for United, a figure that will only increase in the coming years.
Both on and off the field, he continues to make his mark.
Champions LeagueChampions LeagueManchester UnitedMarcus Rashford
