Marcus Rashford Barcelona Debut Sees Promising Start in Vissel Kobe Win
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Marcus Rashford Barcelona debut finally became a reality in Tokyo, and fans across continents were glued to their screens. In a pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe, Rashford stepped onto the pitch wearing Barcelona colors for the very first time. It was a brief but symbolic 33-minute cameo, coming on at halftime as part of a full team reshuffle. For a player once dubbed the future of Manchester United, this new chapter felt both surreal and inevitable. And if you’re looking to gauge where this journey might go, our expert LaLiga Predictions can offer early signs of what’s next for Rashford in Spain.
- Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for Barcelona in a 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe.
- The England international played 33 minutes in the Japan friendly.
- He’s the first English player since Gary Lineker to appear for the Barça first team.
- Barcelona signed Rashford on loan from Manchester United, with a £30.3m option to buy.
The match itself was lively. Defender Eric Garcia gave Barça the lead in the 33rd minute, only for Taisei Miyashiro to level things just before halftime. Rashford’s presence didn’t include any goals or assists, but his movement hinted at intent, he looked sharp, motivated, maybe even relieved. Swedish teen Roony Bardghji, another new signing from Copenhagen, reclaimed the lead in the second half, before academy star Dro Fernandez sealed the 3-1 win late on.
Rashford’s arrival on loan from Manchester United, with a potential £30.3 million permanent deal on the table, had already raised eyebrows. It’s a bold move, not just for him but for Barcelona too. Can he reignite the spark that once made him one of England’s most feared forwards? That’s the big question. And honestly, it’s too early to tell, but this first impression wasn’t half bad.
The Japan trip wasn’t without drama either. Just days before the game, the match was nearly canceled due to what Barça described as “serious contractual breaches” by the event’s promoter. Somehow, things got patched up last minute, and the game went on, a relief for the fans and, no doubt, for Rashford himself. Starting your new chapter with a no-show? That would’ve been a nightmare.
There’s still a long season ahead, and Rashford will need time to settle in, new league, new language, new expectations. But he’s already made history as the first Englishman since Gary Lineker to suit up for the Barça first team. Whether he becomes a key figure or fades into the background, it’s clear the world will be watching. For those eager to track his progress through the season, our LaLiga Predictions might just come in handy.
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