England forward Marcus Rashford has been backed by Brazilian legend and Ballon d’Or winner Rivaldo to reignite his career at Barcelona following a loan move from Manchester United. The 27-year-old winger made the surprise switch during the summer transfer window after falling out of favor at Old Trafford under new manager Ruben Amorim.
With the opportunity to start afresh under the guidance of new Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, Rashford has been tipped to flourish, showing the explosive form that once made him one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers.
Marcus Rashford Biography
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| Full Name | Marcus Rashford MBE |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 31, 1997 |
| Age | 27 |
| Nationality | English |
| Current Club | FC Barcelona (on loan from Man Utd) |
| Position | Forward / Winger |
| Former Club(s) | Manchester United |
| Loan Duration | 1 Season (2025–2026) |
| Ballon d’Or Supporter | Rivaldo (Brazilian legend) |
Rivaldo’s Confidence in Rashford’s Revival
Rivaldo, known for his spellbinding displays for Barcelona and Brazil, weighed in on Rashford’s transfer with full support. The Brazilian believes Rashford can thrive under the tactical leadership of Hansi Flick and will be able to adapt quickly to La Liga.
“Rashford is a fantastic player. I believe he will have the chance to prove his level once he understands his role and what the coach wants from him,” Rivaldo said in an interview with The TouchlineX.
“In my opinion, he will shine with Barcelona.”
Rivaldo’s endorsement reflects the widespread belief that a change of scenery could reignite Rashford’s potential, which had dimmed due to inconsistent form and limited playing time in Manchester.
Why Rashford Left Manchester United
The winger’s move came after an underwhelming season at United, where he struggled to replicate his past performance levels. Rashford managed just a few goals and assists in the 2024–25 campaign, leading to frustration among fans and questions about his future at the club.
Under Ruben Amorim, Rashford became a rotational player, often benched or deployed out of position. In a bold career move, he agreed to a 15% wage reduction to secure a loan switch to Camp Nou. Despite offers from other Premier League and European clubs, Rashford believed Barcelona was the ideal platform to relaunch his career.
Hansi Flick’s Impact and Rashford’s Hopes
Speaking in his first official interview after joining Barcelona, Rashford shared his excitement about working under Hansi Flick, the former Bayern Munich and Germany coach.
“Flick will teach me. I’m excited to reach another level with Barcelona,” Rashford said confidently.
Flick is known for developing attacking players and fostering a high-intensity, possession-based style — a system that could play to Rashford’s strengths in speed, direct dribbling, and link-up play.
Expectations from Rashford’s Loan Move
Barcelona are undergoing a transitional phase and need attacking reinforcements to challenge Real Madrid and Atletico. Rashford’s arrival brings versatility and pace to the left flank, offering an alternative to the current options and adding depth to their attacking unit.
With Euro 2028 qualification looming for England, Rashford also sees this move as critical to reclaiming his spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Key Stats and Achievements
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Premier League Goals (Manchester United): 82 goals in 264 appearances
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International Caps (England): 59
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2022–23 Man Utd Player of the Year
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Awarded MBE for Community Service during COVID-19 pandemic
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2025 Transfer: One-season loan to Barcelona
FAQs
Q1: Why did Marcus Rashford leave Manchester United?
Rashford left due to reduced playing time under new manager Ruben Amorim and to revive his career in a more favorable system at Barcelona.
Q2: How long will Rashford stay at Barcelona?
The England forward has joined on a season-long loan for the 2025–2026 season.
Q3: Who backed Rashford to succeed in Barcelona?
Brazilian legend and Ballon d’Or winner Rivaldo publicly expressed his belief that Rashford will excel at Barcelona.
Q4: What did Rashford say about his move?
He expressed excitement to learn under coach Hansi Flick and viewed the transfer as an opportunity to return to his best form.
Q5: Will Rashford return to Manchester United after the loan?
As of now, it’s a season-long loan. Future decisions may depend on his performance at Barcelona.
Conclusion
Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona could be the defining moment of his career. With backing from icons like Rivaldo and guidance under Hansi Flick, the stage is set for the 27-year-old to rediscover his best form in La Liga. The Camp Nou faithful will be hoping Rashford lives up to his potential and becomes an integral part of their journey back to European dominance.
