"I'm proud of you, you will always be a hero."
Those are the words of nine-year-old Dexter Rosier, who has written a letter to distraught England footballer Marcus Rashford, after his missed penalty in the EURO 2020 final defeat against Italy.
Rashford has been subjected to racial and personal abuse on social media, alongside fellow players Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, and coach Gareth Southgate.
Rosier, from Manchester in the north of England, penned the adorable letter, after the crushing loss left his hero inconsolable.
In the letter, Rosier describes how the Manchester United star has inspired him and will "always be a hero" in his eyes.
"Last year, you inspired me to help people less fortunate, then last night, you inspired me again to always be brave.
"I'm proud of you, you will always be a hero.
"I hope you won't be sad for too long, because you are such a good person."
The letter was shared on social media by Rosier's mother, Samantha, who noted the appalling behaviour of some English fans in reaction to the heartbreaking loss.
Samantha says her son was shocked when he learned the England trio had been vilified on social media.
"He cried as much as he did at full-time last night," Samantha Rosier says.
"How is it a nine-year-old can understand being a racist isn't okay, but 'adults' don't?"
Rashford has reposted the letter on his social media, along with several others written by young children in response to the online abuse.
In an emotional post, Rashford admits he had lacked confidence before the final, apologising to his fans for the penalty miss, while condemning the racial abuse directed at him and his teammates.
"I felt as if I'd let everyone down," Rashford says. "I can take critique of my performance all day long - my penalty was not good enough, it should have gone in - but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.
"I've felt no prouder moment than wearing those three lions on my chest and seeing my family cheer me on in a crowd of 10s of thousands."
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the abuse and says "it will not be tolerated", while the UK Football Policing Unit has also launched an investigation.
Rashford's full statement
"I don't even know where to start and I don't even know how to put into words how I am feeling at this exact time.
"I've had a difficult season, I think that's been clear for everyone to see and I probably went into that final with a lack of confidence. I've always backed myself for a penalty, but something didn't feel quite right.
"During the long run-up, I was saving myself a bit of time and unfortunately the result was not what I wanted. I felt as though I had let my teammates down.
“I felt as if I'd let everyone down. A penalty was all I'd been asked to contribute for the team.
“I can score penalties in my sleep, so why not that one?
"It's been playing in my head over and over since I struck the ball and there's probably not a word to quite describe how it feels.
“Final... 55 years... one penalty... history... all I can say is sorry. I wish it had gone differently.
"Whilst I continue to say sorry, I want to shout out to my team-mates. This summer has been one of the best camps I've experienced and you've all played a role in that.
"A brotherhood has been built that is unbreakable. Your success is my success, your failures are mine.
"I've grown into a sport where I expected to read things written about myself, whether it be the colour of my skin, where I grew up or, most recently, how I decide to spend my time off the pitch.
"I can take critique of my performance all day long - my penalty was not good enough, it should have gone in - but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from. I've felt no prouder moment than wearing those three lions on my chest and seeing my family cheer me on in a crowd of 10s of thousands.
"I dreamt of days like this. The messages I've received today have been positively overwhelming and seeing the response in Withington had me on the verge of tears.
“The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up.
"I'm Marcus Rashford, 23-year-old black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else, I have that.
“For all the kind messages, thank you. I'll be back stronger, we'll be back stronger."
