Not long since Rashford his high-profile move to Barcelona, Marcus made his debut during the club’s preseason friendly against Japanese side Vissel Kobe. The England international came on at halftime, replacing Raphinha in the 46th minute. Although Rashford didn’t contribute directly to any of the goals in the 3–1 win, he showed glimpses of sharp movement and chemistry with his new teammates.
In the following match against South Korea’s FC Seoul, Rashford began to make an impact, registering an assist late in the game as Barcelona ran riot in a 7–3 win.
But it was in Barcelona’s third and final friendly of their Asian tour that Rashford truly announced himself. Coming on as a second-half substitute, he scored the fifth and final goal in the 87th minute of a 5–0 win over Daegu FC — his first goal for the club since the move from Manchester United.
Viral Moment: United Shirt and Smiling Laporta
The goal itself wasn’t the only headline. A fan in the stands was spotted holding up Rashford’s iconic Manchester United No. 10 shirt — a powerful gesture that didn’t go unnoticed. Adding to the moment, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was caught on camera smiling broadly in reaction to the goal, a clip that quickly went viral.
These scenes sparked debate back in England, where many fans questioned whether Rashford is now receiving more admiration in Spain than he ever did during his final seasons at Old Trafford.
Social media was flooded with comments comparing the reception Rashford is getting at Barça with the often harsh criticism he faced at Manchester United. Some United supporters expressed regret over how his time ended, while others suggested the forward needed a new environment to truly flourish.
“He’s smiling again, the fans are cheering him, and the president is grinning from ear to ear. Maybe he’s finally found where he’s truly valued,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
While it’s still early days, Rashford’s goal — and the warm reception surrounding it — suggests he may be entering a rejuvenated chapter in his career. With La Liga set to kick off later this month, all eyes will be on whether he can maintain this form when the real competition begins.
Watch the moment Laporta reacted to Rashford’s goal below
Feature image credit: TNTSports
