Marcus Rashford took to Instagram to share his emotions after being named in the England squad for the first time since March 2024. Posting a picture of himself in an England shirt, he captioned it:

“Never stopped believing, cannot wait to get started.”

For Rashford, this was more than just a call-up—it was a statement. A declaration that despite setbacks, criticism, and uncertainty, he had fought his way back into the national team.

Having struggled for consistency at Manchester United, Rashford found himself on loan at Aston Villa, a move that many questioned at first. But under new surroundings, he rediscovered his hunger, proving his worth with game-changing performances off the bench. His pace, physicality, and relentless work ethic caught the attention of Thomas Tuchel, England’s head coach, who explained his decision to recall the forward.

“With Marcus, he is a familiar face but in a different situation,” Tuchel said. “I felt that he had a huge impact at Aston Villa, mostly from the bench. The impact was impressive—the physical impact, the work rate, and most importantly, his defensive ability and tracking back.”

For Rashford, this call-up was personal. After months of uncertainty, criticism, and a tough period at United, he now had a chance to prove himself on the international stage again. With England’s upcoming fixtures against Albania and Latvia looming, all eyes would be on him to see if he could seize this moment and reclaim his place among the Three Lions’ finest.

One thing was certain—Marcus Rashford never stopped believing.