Manchester United footballer and MBE recipient Marcus Rashford is set to marry his childhood sweetheart after proposing during a postseason trip to California.
The Premier League striker got down on one knee for his long-time girlfriend, Lucia Loi, just days after United’s season ended in defeat to Crystal Palace. Both 24, Rashford and Loi have been together since they were 15, when they attended Ashton on Mersey School in Greater Manchester.
Rashford had planned the proposal for weeks, asking Lucia at a lavish villa following a romantic dinner at the celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA, according to a source. “They went out in LA for a romantic night together, and he proposed. It was extremely romantic. They celebrated afterward with close friends, including his United teammate Jesse Lingard,” the source added.
Rashford announced their engagement on Instagram, sharing a photo of them embracing on a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway. Another source mentioned that everyone is excited about the engagement and highlighted Lucia’s positive influence on Rashford, who has been recognized for his charitable efforts but has faced challenges on the pitch since shoulder surgery. “Lucia has offered him stability and a sense of belonging,” the source noted.
The couple had briefly split during the Covid pandemic but confirmed their reunion in January this year. The engagement news follows Rashford winning the Book of the Year prize at the British Book Awards for his debut non-fiction book, You Are A Champion. The motivational guide for young people was selected from 12 individual category winners during the ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.
In a pre-recorded message, Rashford expressed his desire for children to feel the book was written for them. He thanked MacMillan for their support and acknowledged journalist Carl Anka’s significant role in completing the book. His work triumphed over bestsellers, including The Lyrics by Sir Paul McCartney and Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason.
Rashford’s romantic getaway in LA marks the beginning of an offseason where he plans to stay in the States for intense training ahead of the 2022-2023 Premier League season. Despite recent struggles, he has expressed his commitment to fighting for his place at Old Trafford.
