Following the completion of his loan move from Manchester United, Marcus Rashford was officially unveiled as a Barcelona player on Friday and used his first press conference to heap praise on his new teenage teammate, Lamine Yamal.
Rashford described the 18-year-old as a “very special talent” and went as far as to say that, based on last season’s performances, Yamal was “one of the leading players in the world, if not the best.”
“Everyone wants to play with the best, and there is a lot of talent in this squad,” Rashford told reporters at his presentation. “I am happy and eager to play with them on the pitch… It is going to be exciting.”
Barcelona secured Rashford on a season-long loan after failing in their pursuits of other targets like Nico Williams and Luis Díaz. The England international, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, is expected to provide versatile cover across the frontline with a strong chance to earn a starting role.
While Yamal is a full decade younger, Rashford knows what it is like to make a huge impact at a young age. He recalled his own spectacular breakthrough for Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 2016, when he scored two goals on his Europa League debut and repeated the feat in the Premier League just days later.
Rashford’s clear admiration for Yamal and his excitement to join the squad signal a positive start to his new chapter in Catalonia. After a difficult period, the English forward is clearly motivated to rediscover his best form alongside some of the world’s most exciting talents.