Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has treasured a pair of trainers gifted to him byCristiano Ronaldo in 2018, revealing that he has never worn them, stating, “No one can touch them!”
The England international received this special gift from Ronaldo during the latter’s time at Real Madrid before they became teammates at Old Trafford in the summer of 2021.
Rashford, a long-time admirer of the Portuguese superstar, took possession of a pair of Nike Air Max 97 CRY Red trainers in April 2018. Although the footwear was originally valued at £145, its sentimental worth to Rashford now renders it priceless.
More than five years on from getting a gift from Ronaldo, Rashford has told Sneaker Shopping why they have never graced his feet: “No one can touch them! He was one of my favourite players growing up. I liked the shoe; I’d love to wear it, but if I mess them up, then I don’t know what I’d do to myself. So, I’m just better to keep those ones away.”
At 26 years old, Rashford has evolved into a fashion icon and trendsetter, showcasing his style at Paris Fashion Week alongside Jude Bellingham earlier this year.
Additionally, he has been featured on the front cover of Vogue, further solidifying his influence in the world of fashion.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi side Al Nassr, Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar said the Portuguese star tried to persuade him not to leave Al Nassr.
The 31-year-old was fully aware that a foreign player would need to be given up for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, and he had six months left on his Al Nassr deal.
Aboubakar chose to return to Turkish club Besiktas by signing a two and a half year contract in January, despite the former Man United and Real Madrid star’s best efforts to prevent him from departing.
“We talked a bit and his [Cristiano’s] opinion was that he wanted me to stay – I told him no, that I will leave for family reasons,” Aboubakar told Talents d’Afrique on Canal+.
“He asked me where my family was, I told him they are in France and so I prefer to go to Turkey, it’s closer.
“And he told me ‘it’s better if your family is really far away, it’s more complicated’. I was firm, I wanted to leave.”
A 2022 to remember
Saudi Arabia’s restrictions on the number of foreign players in the league meant Aboubakar knew his playing time would be limited by Ronaldo’s arrival
Aboubakar, who scored twice at the 2022 World Cup including an historic strike against Brazil, had joined Al-Nassr in July 2021 from Besiktas.
Despite scoring 13 goals and providing six assists in 39 appearances for the Riyadh outfit, he admitted it was only logical to depart following the arrival of Ronaldo.
“I left a little angry because it was not easy,” he added.
“When Cristiano arrived, [Al Nassr] coach Rudi Garcia called me into his office and told me that normally an international player has to leave, it’s either me or Jaloliddin Masharipov [from Uzbekistan], either me or Pity.
“I told him that I already wanted to leave before and, honestly, as Cristiano was coming, my playing time would be reduced and it was better for me to leave.
“I had offers, including one from Besiktas. They wanted me to stay until the end of the season. I said ‘no honestly president I prefer to leave’.
“It was a bit complicated but finally they let me go.”
Aboubakar finished top scorer at the delayed African Cup of Nations on home soil in February 2022, by producing eight goals, the best tally since 1998 when Benni McCarthy (South Africa) and Hossam Hassan (Egypt) got seven apiece.
Nine months later, he stole the headlines in Qatar by scoring an “outrageous” goal for Cameroon in their Group G match against Serbia at the World Cup.
He also scored a late winner against Brazil for Cameroon to claim historic 1-0 win but his goal was not enough to send them through and he was sent off for removing his shirt in the goal celebration.
Aboubakar had starred in the final of the 2017 Nations Cup, netting Cameroon’s second goal to seal a 2-1 win over Egypt and a fifth continental title for the Indomitable Lions.
The former Lorient and Valenciennes striker has 39 goals in 95 appearances for his Central African nation.
