I'm English ace who played with Lionel Messi at Barcelona – here is what Marcus Rashford must do to thrive at Nou Camp

Scottish Sun

6 days ago

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QUIZ question: Who was the last Englishman to play for Barcelona?
Clue: His first name is Marcus.
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Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United
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Marcus McGuane played alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona
Credit: TAKEN FROM INSTAGRAM @marcusmcguane
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He joined the club in 2018
Credit: Getty
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Marcus Rashford may have made his debut as a sub for the Catalan giants in Sunday's friendly match against Vissel Kobe in Japan.
But until the England star finally makes his competitive debut following his year-long loan deal, the answer will be found closer to home.
For it is newly-signed Huddersfield midfielder Marcus McGuane who boasts that Anglo-Spanish claim to fame.
McGuane, 26, is member of an elite club of Englishmen who have graced Barcelona's famous blue and red colours — led most famously by Three Lions legend Gary Lineker.
Not so long ago McGuane, who has just joined the League One Terriers from Bristol City, was rubbing shoulders with Barca superstar Lionel Messi and his all-conquering pals.
And the Arsenal academy product does not need reminding just how incredible it sounds — his own little lad remains to be convinced that dad is not making it all up.
McGuane told SunSport: 'My son just got into football massively, and when I tell him I trained with Messi and stuff like that, he can't believe it.
'Even when I show him the photo of me at practice with Messi, he still can't believe it. I clearly just can't win!
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'It's funny looking back but it still feels like it's a fantastic opportunity that arose that I'll never regret. It's something I can hold fondly in my memory bank.
'For people looking in from the outside, they probably think it's bigger than how it feels for me — but it was still a fantastic time in my life.'
Marcus Rashford can't contain his excitement after agreeing Barcelona transfer
Life came at Woolwich lad McGuane fast in his teenage years and he left Arsenal to go to Spain at the age of 18 after making two senior Gunners appearances in the Europa League.
He added: 'I was a young boy who grew up in Woolwich with dreams of wanting to be a pro footballer.
'I had to pinch myself when I found myself in the changing room and training with the likes of Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.
'But I have to admit it was all a case of a bit too much too soon for me, because there so much to deal with.
'The timing probably just wasn't right. I wasn't mature enough to handle being away from my home, friends and family.
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McGuane has recently joined Huddersfield Town
Credit: INSTAGRAM @htafc
'But I learned lots of lessons. It showed for this humble lad from Woolwich what's possible when you put your head down.
'It didn't really go the way I wanted and it reached a point where I wanted to come home. But I'll only speak positively about a great period in my life.'
As for what it will take for his Manchester United A-lister namesake to make it at the Nou Camp, McGuane reckons Rashford must embrace his new surroundings.
McGuane certainly speaks from experience, even if he was limited to a solitary first-team game after moving from Arsenal in 2018.
While at Barcelona, he was loaned to Telstar, then joined Nottingham Forest and Oxford United before going to Bristol.
I had to pinch myself when I found myself in the changing room and training with the likes of Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.
Marcus McGuane
McGuane is the first to point out he spent most of his Barca time as a reserve.
But he did make a substitute appearance for the senior side in a Catalan Super Cup game against local rivals Espanyol in March 2018.
And he still saw enough over the course of two seasons to be a good judge of what it will takes for Rashford, 27, to prosper after several turbulent years at Old Trafford.
McGuane added: 'On the field, I'm sure he'll hit the ground running and give a good representation of himself.
'He is a top player with fantastic qualities with lots to give his team — so I'm sure he'll thrive.
'Off the field, I'd recommend he immerses himself in the local culture and dives into his new community.
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'Family and friends will be crucial so he settles down and makes it feel like home as quickly as possible.
'Being in a different country, picking up a different language and adapting to a different culture, you'll need a good support network.'
McGuane and his son are tickled by the Messi photo and the fact that his namesake has followed his path but their journeys to Barca could not be more different.
The London player said: 'I found it quite funny that there'll be another Marcus on the Barca books.
'The chances of us having the same first name are slim — but unlike me, Rash has got experience on his side.
'He's blessed with experience of top leagues and top competitions, so he'll take things in his stride.
'And playing with better players should bring the best out of him — and the new environment will help.
'For me, it was my first time away from home since the age of 12 and the first time being abroad officially by myself.
'Now I can't wait to see the other, more famous footballing Marcus start playing with a smile on his face again.'
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