Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona debut came with an unexpected and awkward twist that quickly caught the attention of fans across the globe.
The England forward, who joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United last week, made his first appearance for the Spanish club in a friendly match against Japanese side Vissel Kobe. But what should have been a fresh start turned into a talking point when Rashford was brought on after half time, only to be taken off just 30 minutes later.
That kind of moment is rare in football and often seen as a humiliation for any player, especially on debut.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was quick to explain the decision after the match. Speaking to reporters, Flick said the substitution had nothing to do with performance and everything to do with fitness and planning.
“Rashford has not played that much and we also wanted to give Gerard Martin 15 minutes because he was coming back from injury,” Flick said.
The manager’s comments suggest the plan was agreed beforehand and had no connection to how Rashford performed. In fact, the 27-year-old made a strong impression during his short spell on the pitch.
He played a key role in Barcelona’s second goal. After Jofre Torrents won possession on the left, Rashford picked up the ball and sent a precise pass into the path of Robert Lewandowski. The striker then squared it to Roony Bardghji who calmly slotted it home.
Barcelona went on to win the match 3–1 as part of their preseason tour of Asia.
For Rashford, this was his first appearance since being left out of the Manchester United squad and training alone at Carrington. His loan move to Barcelona, which includes a £26 million option to buy, marks a new chapter in his career.
Although his debut ended in an unusual way, Barcelona’s coaching staff appear focused on easing him back into regular action without rushing.
For now, what some fans saw as a humiliating moment may actually be part of a careful strategy to help Rashford get back to his best.
