Ex Man Utd star explains why he took iconic number at new club
He will wear the iconic number 14 shirt, previously donned by legends like Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry, acknowledging the significant responsibility.
Rashford becomes only the second English player to represent Barcelona, following Gary Lineker, and expressed his ambition to surpass Lineker's goal-scoring record at the club.
The forward stated his desire for a fresh start and to win major trophies, including the Champions League, seeing Barcelona as the ideal place to rediscover his best form.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick played a key role in securing Rashford's transfer, with the player expressing gratitude for the faith shown in him.
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The Guardian
41 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on the Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph: the comeback queens will inspire future generations
Relentlessly, exhilaratingly, Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses have gone where no group of English footballers has ever gone before. Sunday's heroically hard-fought victory over the world champions, Spain – in a Euro 2025 final which required yet another comeback – was the first successful defence of an international title by a senior England team. It was also the first time a major trophy has been acquired away from the home comforts of Wembley. That gives the measure of the achievement. What will live long in the memory was the manner of it. Well beaten by France in the group stages, 2-0 down to Sweden late in the quarter-final, 1-0 down to Italy in injury time in the semi-final, 1-0 down to Spain at half-time in the final, a remarkable group of players seemed somehow to thrive in such adversity. Their spirit was epitomised by the dogged determination of 33-year-old Lucy Bronze, perhaps playing in her last big tournament, who revealed after the final that she had played throughout with a fractured shin. Courage of a different kind has been displayed by England's goalkeeper and Uefa's player of the match on Sunday, Hannah Hampton, who overcame a serious eye condition to fulfil her ambition of pursuing a football career. And by Jess Carter, the defender who suffered racist abuse earlier in the tournament, but ended it with a faultless performance in the final. The effervescent Chloe Kelly, who had considered quitting last season when her career was in the doldrums, had the last word as England's nerveless penalty-shootout match-winner. Increasingly, such inspirational sporting narratives are the things that young girls' dreams are made of. Research by the Football Beyond Borders charity suggests that the number of 13- to 18-year-olds who play and follow the game continues to grow. This summer's excitement will deliver another huge shot of adrenaline to the domestic women's game, which was already preparing for a different set of firsts. This season, Arsenal Women will break new ground by playing all of their Women's Super League (WSL) home games at the 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium. Already, 15,000 season tickets have been sold. Everton Women will take over Goodison Park, one of English football's most beloved stadiums, as the men's team decamp to a new ground on the banks of the Mersey. The Lionesses effect, combined with new television contracts covering two fully professional divisions, and a new Sunday kick-off time designed to maximise exposure of the game, should pave the way for further growth. Challenges remain. As a slight drop-off in WSL attendances last season suggested, rapid bursts of growth driven by international success is not a reliable long-term strategy. The task in the future will be to maintain upward momentum, even when the England women's team is not sweeping all before it. And as more girls seek opportunities to play and pitches to play on, a grassroots infrastructure that has been historically geared to the requirements of men's and boys' teams needs an overhaul. That is for tomorrow, though. Once again the Lionesses have lit up an English summer, forging legends that will fire the imaginations of future generations of girls. The extraordinary Ms Wiegman, after winning the Euros first with her native Netherlands, has consolidated her position as by far the most successful England manager of all time. Even more significantly, she has empowered and inspired a formidable group of athletes to transform the profile of women's sport in this country. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Linfield board at 'wits' end' after Uefa fine
Linfield manager David Healy says the board are "at their wits' end" after the club were fined 12,000 euro for spectator misconduct in Champions League qualifying against Thursday, Linfield were fined 10,000 euro (£8,727) for "racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters" and 2,000 euro (£1,745) by Uefa for the lighting of fireworks in Windsor Park during the second leg on 16 Irish Premiership champions were also handed a partial stadium ban in Europe, suspended for two said a "very small minority" had "let the club down", and emphasised the vast majority of supporters make up "a brilliant fan base"."I know the chairman and the board are at their wits' end at times with how we can control someone who is going to come into a football ground and say, sing or throw whatever, when it's basically been put to them that it's costing the football club," Healy told BBC Sport NI."It's costing the players and it's costing us the opportunity of potentially building up a few pound in the pot."I would urge supporters to get behind us in the correct way and the Linfield way, like they have done for 140 years."Linfield are back in European action on Thursday when they host Zalgiris in the second leg of Uefa Conference League qualifying. The reverse fixture in Lithuania finished goalless and the winners of the tie will face Vikingur from Iceland in the third round."I've been here long enough to understand the importance financially to this football club," Healy said on the tie."I think we worked them out pretty well. They changed their shape and we got a good look at them."I'm excited by the challenge on Thursday and for the players to go and play well and perform."Hopefully we can try and progress."
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Chloe Kelly incident that caused 'cocky gesture' controversy after Lionesses Euros win
Lionesses star Chloe Kelly has been on the end of some fierce criticism from the Spanish media after steering England to victory against Spain in the Euro 2025 final Chloe Kelly's celebration after her Euros-winning penalty triggered bitter criticism across the Spanish media, with some slamming her as 'cocky'. The Lionesses star netted the winning spot-kick in Switzerland on Sunday evening. And in the process, she ensured that Sarina Wiegman 's side would be returning with their European championship crown firmly in tow. And while her successful penalty triggered wild celebrations for her home nation, Kelly was not as popular in Spain. Members of the Spanish media slammed the Arsenal star for seemingly celebrating in front of Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll. They wrote: "This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly's cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty. The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten." Kelly, 27, has yet to speak out on her perceived 'cocky' celebration - but did explain her somewhat conventional run-up to her spot-kick that involved a skip and a jump. She said: 'To be honest, it started when I was at Everton, quite a few years ago now. "It's something that just works for me. I can't explain it too much. I actually spoke with one of the coaches the other day about it. 'It's just my routine that works for me. I take my time, I take my breath, and I'm confident in that. Taking a penalty normally would probably feel a bit weird to me. It's just my routine. Sometimes you miss, sometimes you score, but I was adamant I was not missing two on the bounce.' Meanwhile, she praised her teammates and boss Sarina Wiegman for making it back-to-back titles. She said: "I'm so proud to be English! ... Every girl out there with that dream: you can do it. Keep reaching for the stars." "I am so proud of this team,' Kelly added to BBC Sport. 'So grateful to wear this badge. So proud to be English. "Unbelievable. All the staff behind us and Sarina Wiegman - she has done it again! Unbelievable. It is going to be crazy. I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it." Despite the criticism from Spain, the celebrations continued once the Lionesses arrived back on home soil. They were given a warm welcome by supporters when they stepped off of their flight, while the team then received a red carpet reception at Downing Street on Monday. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
