It takes a lot of dedication to be a top class athlete. Hours of training and self-discipline, watching what you eat and drink, it’s not easy. So it’s no big surprise that most athletes are very self-centred. In Britain, top footballers tend to have the world at their feet. Everybody fawns on them. But here’s a story about two footballers who are an exception to the rule.
Marcus Rashford is 23 and plays for Manchester United and England. He is one of the very best players of his generation. He earns lots of money and could live a very pampered life, very different from the poverty he experienced growing up. Instead he has become a leading campaigner against child poverty. During the pandemic lockdown, schools were suspended. For many children, this meant they didn’t get a decent meal. Free school lunches are an important source of nourishment for many children. They already suffered during the long school holidays and, with the shutdown of schools, they were not getting a proper meal. Thanks to Rashford’s campaign, the government reintroduced free meals for the children. Rashford was awarded a medal by the Queen. He continues to fight against child poverty.
Sadio Mane is a Liverpool player and one of the best in the world, earning an enormous salary. So it was surprising when a recent photo showed that he had a phone with a cracked screen. Mane has other priorities with his money. He has built a hospital and a school in his village in Senegal and provided money for pandemic relief.
Can you think of other sports stars who have done similar things?
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