Marcus Rashford’s time at Barcelona didn’t begin with fireworks, but now the 27-year-old forward is starting to find his form — and win over fans.
When Rashford joined the Spanish club on loan from Manchester United in July, many questioned the move. He had struggled at United, and Barcelona had only turned to him after missing out on other targets.
His first few appearances in La Liga were quiet. He didn’t start games and barely made an impact. Some Spanish media even called him a “slow burner”, suggesting his best performances only came in pre-season matches, when the pressure was low.
But things started to change in September. After scoring for England in a 5-0 win over Serbia, Rashford began to show more confidence. He followed that up with two goals for Barcelona in the Champions League against Newcastle, helping them win 2-1 at St James’ Park.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who had earlier said Rashford was “unbelievable” and had more to offer, seems to have helped boost the forward’s belief.
More Chances, More Impact
Injuries to key players like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski gave Rashford more chances to start. He’s now played in 10 matches for Barcelona and started six of the last seven across all competitions.
The only game he didn’t start was against Getafe, after turning up two minutes late to a team meeting. Flick, known for his strict rules, benched him, but Rashford still came on and played the whole second half.
That match was the only one in the last seven where Rashford didn’t either score or assist a goal.
Fans Starting to Believe
Barcelona supporters are beginning to appreciate Rashford’s efforts.
“He’s getting more confident bit by bit,” said lifelong fan Alejandro.
“He’s bringing us joy. You can see how badly he wants to succeed. Right now, the fans and the team are behind him.”
Another fan, Pablo, added:
“He’s already done better than a lot of people expected. I think he can go even further.”
Looking Ahead
It’s still early days, and there’s no word yet on whether Barcelona will make Rashford’s move permanent. But if he keeps improving, and keeps gaining the trust of Flick and the fans, that question might be easier to answer in a few months’ time.
For now, Marcus Rashford’s comeback story is slowly taking shape — and it’s heading in the right direction.