Marcus Rashford made his long-awaited debut for FC Barcelona within the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, beginning in Matchday 1 in opposition to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. By that includes within the sport, the ahead has now joined an unique group alongside an English legend within the membership’s historical past.
With Lamine Yamal sidelined, head coach Hansi Flick was pressured to shuffle his assault. Fermin Lopez performed behind Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha shifted to the appropriate wing the place Yamal often operates, and Rashford began on the left — a transfer that positioned the previous Manchester United star in uncommon firm.
By stepping on the sphere in opposition to Newcastle, Marcus Rashford grew to become solely the second Englishman to look for Barcelona in main European competitors. The primary was Gary Lineker, who represented the Catalan aspect within the UEFA Cup and the European Tremendous Cup throughout his spell on the membership between 1986 and 1989.
In contrast to Lineker, who performed earlier than the Champions League period, Rashford is the primary English participant to ever function for Barcelona in Europe’s premier competitors, a historic milestone for the 27-year-old ahead.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona shoots huge previous Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schaer of Newcastle United in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD1 match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona.
With Yamal unavailable, Flick emphasised Rashford’s significance to the squad. “Now we have Marcus Rashford in our crew, and that’s nice, as a result of if somebody up entrance can’t play, he can. He confirmed that within the final sport, and I hope he can ship the identical efficiency in England,” the German coach stated on Wednesday.
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Rashford and his first objective at Barcelona
Rashford has featured in all 4 of Barcelona’s La Liga video games this season, recording one help however nonetheless ready to open his goalscoring account. That modified in England, the place a golden alternative lastly arrived.
Within the 58th minute, Jules Kounde delivered a cross into the field, and Rashford rose above Fabian Schär to go residence. Not solely did he break the impasse, however he additionally scored his first official objective for Barcelona, the final Englishman to take action being, fittingly, Lineker.
