In a dramatic race against the clock, FC Barcelona have successfully registered new signings Marcus Rashford and Joan García with La Liga, just hours before their 2025–26 season opener against Mallorca on Saturday.
The club has faced a difficult summer, battling La Liga’s strict financial regulations to register their new players. There had been significant and growing speculation that both Rashford and García would be forced to miss the first game of the team’s title defence.
The registration of new first-choice goalkeeper Joan García was made possible after La Liga officially approved the club’s request to waive the salary of their injured captain, Marc-André ter Stegen, from their wage bill for the first half of the season under long-term injury rules. This move freed up the necessary salary space.
There was even more concern surrounding the registration of Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, but manager Hansi Flick will be hugely relieved as the England international has also been cleared to play. He will retain the No. 14 shirt he wore in pre-season.
However, Barcelona’s financial problems are far from over. Three other key players are still awaiting their official registration with the league: backup goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who signed a new contract this summer; new attacking talent Roony Bardghji; and defender Gerard Martín.
The club will now need to make “further fundraising efforts,” most likely through player sales, in order to register the remaining trio before the transfer window closes. While the last-minute registration of Rashford and García is a huge boost for the opening day, it highlights the precarious financial situation that continues to hang over the La Liga champions.