Rashford makes Barca debut during friendly win in Japan
Tokyo
Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for Barcelona in a 3-1 friendly win against Vissel Kobe in Japan.
The 27-year-old, who has joined the Catalan club from Manchester United on a season-long loan, was introduced at half-time before being withdrawn after 78 minutes.
Rashford had an effort saved during his first outing for Hansi Flick's side, who took the win courtesy of goals from Eric Garcia, Roony Bardghji and academy star Pedro Fernandez.
Bardghji, another new arrival from Copenhagen, put Barcelona back in front after Taisei Miyashiro had levelled for the hosts.
Spain star Lamine Yamal, 18, was presented with Barcelona's famous number 10 shirt - previously worn by the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi - before kick-off.
Flick, quoted on Barcelona's website, explained why Rashford only played for 33 minutes, saying: 'He's a week behind the others. He hasn't been training as much with the ball, and we want to look after him.'
Rashford, in a Barca video shown by Sky Sports News, said: 'Good performance, good to play in front of the fans, good (for) fitness.
So I'm looking forward to the next games.
'Pleased that we could win the game today but of course the most important thing is just settling in and, for the team, getting the patterns in and playing good football and I thought we did that in both halves.
'It's difficult in games like that where you change the team at half-time, but I thought we did well.'
He added: 'The reason I'm here is to help the team try to win. So I'm going to listen to whatever information I need to listen to and try to put it into the game and help the team go forward.
'I can play over different positions. It's one of my strengths, to play across the front line. I'll play where the team needs me and try to score goals and create goals from those positions.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
12 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Diaz leaves Liverpool training camp to finalise Bayern Munich move
PA Media/dpa London Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has left the club's training camp in Japan to finalise his move to Bayern Munich. A fee of 75million euros ($88 million) was agreed on Sunday after the Bundesliga champions returned with an offer closer to what the club consider to be the Colombia international's market value. Diaz was given permission to leave and has now departed Tokyo, where the team are preparing for Wednesday's match against Yokohama F. Marinos, for Germany. The forward, who turns 29 in January, had been pushing for a move since last summer and after two attempts to agree an extension to the two years he has remaining on his contract failed due to the gap in expectations, Liverpool reluctantly accepted his departure was inevitable - but only for a suitable price. Hugo Ekitike's arrival last week means the club have already bolstered their attacking options and they maintain an interest in Newcastle's wantaway striker Alexander Isak. The completion of the sale of Diaz, who cost the club £42m ($56.4 million) plus £3.4m in add-ons, will see Liverpool's income from transfers in the last year top £190m.
Qatar Tribune
12 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
George Russell facing anxious wait to discover if he has 2026 Mercedes seat
PA Media/DPA London George Russell's wait for his Formula One future to be confirmed is set to extend until at least next month's summer break. Max Verstappen's break clause from his Red Bull contract can no longer be activated after his fourth-placed finish at Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix ensured the Dutchman will not be lower than third in the world championship when the sport enters its mid-season shutdown. Mercedes have made little secret of their desire to sign the four-time world champion. As it stands, Russell - who despite a series of impressive performances this year - is without a deal for 2026. Mercedes, however, would now be forced to buy Verstappen out of his Red Bull contract which runs until 2028 - and that could accelerate their decision to announce Russell will be retained. But the PA news agency has been told by a source there are no plans for an official update on the British driver's future prior to Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. A three-week break follows before the next round in the Netherlands on August 31. Despite the continued speculation surrounding suggestions Verstappen could trade Red Bull for Mercedes, those close to the Russell camp have indicated for a number of weeks the 27-year-old is extremely confident of striking a contract extension. And it would appear highly unlikely that a new deal with Mercedes will not be finalised. Russell finished fifth on Sunday but Mercedes endured a difficult weekend in the Ardennes. Russell's rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli's dismal run of form continued after he crossed the line in 16th. The 18-year-old has scored points in just one of his last seven appearances. He was close to tears after qualifying on Saturday, admitting he was struggling with his confidence. That prompted a visit from Lewis Hamilton to the Mercedes motorhome ahead of Sunday's race to offer the driver who replaced him some words of encouragement. Hamilton started in the pit lane and drove from 18th to seventh but Antonelli - who also begun the rain-hit race from the pits - laboured and finished 52 seconds behind team-mate Russell. Russell has scored 157 points to Antonelli's 63 after 13 of the 24 rounds. Mercedes are third in the constuctors' standings, 296 points adrift of McLaren.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Gibbs-White signs new 3-year deal with Nottingham Forest
PA Media/dpa London Morgan Gibbs-White has dashed Tottenham's hopes of signing him by committing to a 'record' new contract at Nottingham Forest. It represents a remarkable turnaround from earlier this month when Spurs appeared to have triggered the £60 million ($80.6 million) release clause in the 25-year-old's previous deal at the City Ground. However, a potential move stalled as Forest threatened legal action over an alleged illegal approach for the player. After weeks of uncertainty, Gibbs-White now appears to have been convinced by the ambition of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and has agreed to stay on improved terms. The club posted on X: 'A statement of intent from our owner Evangelos Marinakis, as Morgan Gibbs-White signs a record deal at the Club until the summer of 2028.' Marinakis added on the club's website: 'Morgan is a special player - not just in terms of talent, but character and mentality. He represents everything we want this football club to be - he is a winner, talented, ambitious, fearless and proud. Gibbs-White, who joined Forest from Wolves three years ago, shone last seasonas the East Midlands side finished seventh in the Premier League.
