Football is not just a game, but also a platform to tell the story of human struggle, ambition and success. The stories of many players inspire millions, but are there parallels between them that connect seemingly different footballers? In this article, we examine the career paths of Riyad Mahrez and Marcus Rashford, two of the most successful players of our time. Despite their different backgrounds, playing styles and circumstances, their achievements share striking similarities.
Riyad Mahrez was born in 1991 in the small town of Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris, to Algerian immigrant parents. He spent his childhood in a neighborhood where football was a way to escape the streets. However, Mahrez was not what you would call a “star talent” at a young age. He was underestimated in the academies: he was too skinny and unable to compete with the more physically developed youngsters. But Riyad had a gift that cannot be measured: incredible technique, a passion for the game and an ability to adapt. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, was born in Manchester in 1997, into a working-class family. He spent his childhood in Wythenshawe, one of the city's most deprived areas. Football was not just a pastime, but a way out of poverty. Marcus was one of the first additions to Manchester United's academy, but his path to the first team was not easy either. Food problems, poverty and competition did not break Rashford, but made him stronger.
The key to both players’ success has been their patience and willingness to work on themselves. Riyad Mahrez has come a long way through the lower divisions of France. His first club was Quimper, then he played for Ligue 2 side Le Havre. No one could have guessed that this unremarkable player would become one of the key players in Leicester’s sensational English Premier League win in 2015. 16 . Mahrez has proven his worth at every stage of his career, developing his dribbling, his sense of play and his left-footed shot. Rashford, unlike Mahrez, burst into the top flight of football overnight. In 2016, with Manchester United’s starting lineup depleted of forwards due to injuries, young Marcus was given the chance to make his debut in a Europa League match against Midtjylland. He not only made his debut but scored twice, repeating the success of his first Premier League game. His rapid progress was made possible by years of training and uncompromising work at the academy.
Mahrez and Rashford are both examples of how a combination of natural talent and hard work can overcome any obstacle. Mahrez stands out for his dribbling, his vision of the pitch and his ability to score important goals. His path to success has not been easy, but it is by overcoming challenges that he has shaped him as a player. At Manchester City, he has become a key part of the team, winning trophies and showing incredible consistency at the highest level. Rashford, meanwhile, has incredible pace and a good shot, but is also versatile and able to adapt to different positions on the pitch. But his talent extends beyond football. In 2020, he became the face of the fight for social justice, campaigning for free school meals in the UK. This work has earned him not only respect, but also the status of a true leader – on and off the pitch.
For both players, there have been moments in their careers that have radically changed their lives. For Mahrez, that moment came with his move to Leicester City in 2014. At the time, no one expected the young Algerian to become the figurehead of the club that, two years later, would create one of the biggest sensations in football history. His goals and assists played a key role in Leicester’s Premier League title win, and Riyad was named Player of the Year. Rashford, however, faced a different kind of pressure. After a brilliant start at Manchester United, expectations were immediately high for him. He lived up to those expectations, gradually becoming a leader of the team, especially during difficult periods for the club. Riyad Mahrez is a symbol for millions of African and Muslim footballers who see him as an example of how hard work and self-belief can lead to success. His humility and style of play inspire young people, especially those facing discrimination and hardship. Marcus Rashford, in addition to his footballing achievements, has become an active public figure. His initiatives to combat child hunger have been recognized not only in England but around the world. Rashford has shown that an athlete can be not only a professional on the pitch, but also an agent of change in society.
