Following an impressive start with Barcelona, here is why Marcus Rashford might not play this season for the club.
Marcus Rashford has made an impressive start to life at Barcelona, but uncertainty looms over whether he will be eligible to play in La Liga this season due to ongoing registration complications.
Following a disappointing spell last season, which included a short-term move to Aston Villa in January for more playing opportunities, Rashford secured a switch to the Catalan giants during the summer. Barcelona have the option to make the deal permanent for around £30 million.
Under new manager Hansi Flick, Rashford has been deployed as a central striker, stepping in for Robert Lewandowski. He marked his first goal for the club in a pre-season friendly against Daegu on Monday.
Despite this promising start, concerns persist about his official registration. Barcelona’s financial difficulties, which have been well-publicized in recent years, continue to impact their ability to register new signings under La Liga’s financial regulations.
Dani Olmo, another player signed in the summer of 2024, encountered a similar hurdle before the club utilized a regulatory loophole to secure his place in the squad.
Flick, considered among the elite coaches in world football, had initially targeted Nico Williams before turning to Rashford. La Liga’s president later confirmed that Williams’ proposed transfer collapsed due to registration uncertainties—a situation now threatening Rashford’s eligibility as well.
Rashford, who scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for Manchester United, was determined to join Flick’s project at Barcelona this summer. However, unless the club resolves the registration issues, his La Liga debut may be put on hold.
