He waited for Barca – and would have waited longer if he had to. In January, a move collapsed because of the club’s inability to register players such as Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. But this summer, he did not want the opportunity to escape.
There is no financial penalty if Barcelona fail to register him, but nobody in the club believes it will come to that. The expectation is that money will be raised, players will be moved, and the squad list will feature Rashford’s name.
Officially, Rashford arrives as a winger. Unofficially, he is so much more. Hansi Flick values flexibility above almost anything – and in Rashford he sees a player who can play left, right, or centrally. A wide forward who can lead the press, who understands space, and who can slot into a variety of roles.
The conversation between both of them suggested a manager that knew very well of his circumstances and potential, and a player that was desperate to impress.
Deco initially leaned toward Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, and very publicly Athletic’s Nico Williams was another option. But Rashford (as he said, with due respect to all those that wanted him) was hoping the stars aligned for his arrival.
When Robert Lewandowski is unavailable, Rashford will compete with Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres for the number nine role. But when he is on the pitch, it’s likely he will operate from the left, where he has always looked most dangerous.
In the presentation, Rashford was accompanied by his brothers, Dwaine and Dane, as well as Arturo Canales, the intermediary who helped navigate the transfer.
Even Lamine Yamal played a role, quietly nudging the process along through messages on Instagram. A digital friendship born of mutual admiration – Lamine grew up playing Fifa with Rashford on his screen; now they will share a pitch.
“They probably think of him like a legend,” said one source close to the players.
That admiration was mutual. Rashford sees in Lamine the brightest talent. In the two training sessions they have shared, Rashford has seen the talent and the serious work, but also, when entering the changing room, why Dani Olmo said it seems like a kindergarten. So many young kids!
The choice of shirt number was not accidental. Rashford will wear 14 – the number Johan Cruyff made iconic with Ajax and the Netherlands. But it is also the number of another hero of his: Thierry Henry. A nod to history.
Barcelona have secured an option to buy Rashford for 30m euros (£26m) before next summer. If they do not, they’ll pay 5m euros (£4.3m) as a penalty.
Rashford, for his part, has accepted a 15% wage reduction (up to 25% when bonuses are factored in), bringing his gross annual salary to about 14m euros (£12.1m).
Rashford comes to Spain hungrier and wiser. He grew up watching La Liga on British TV. Fell in love with Barcelona. Dreamed of the Nou Camp. Now, he is here – just as the club, and the stadium, begin a new chapter.
Spanish football has taught us that adaptation takes time. But if Rashford rescales the heights we know he can reach, Barcelona may have pulled off something rare in modern football: a bargain.
