Barcelona have confirmed the registration of Marcus Rashford just hours before their La Liga title defence begins against Mallorca, ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding the England forward’s eligibility.
The Catalan club, hampered in recent seasons by La Liga’s stringent financial regulations, were finally able to complete the paperwork in time to name Rashford in Hansi Flick’s matchday squad. Young defender Joao Garcia has also been cleared to feature.
Flick admitted on the eve of the opener that he was “not happy” with the protracted process but expressed confidence that the club would resolve the situation.
Rashford arrives at Camp Nou on a season-long loan from Manchester United, with an option to buy. The 26-year-old fell out of favour under new manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford but remained intent on joining Barcelona despite the club’s ongoing financial turbulence.
Barcelona’s off-field troubles have been well documented. Last season, the club outspent their income on transfer fees and wages, forcing them to rely on exemptions and appeals to register players. Dani Olmo was only permitted to play for the first half of the 2024/25 season, with two appeals later rejected before a resolution was reached.
The Rashford saga was complicated further by a dispute involving goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who underwent back surgery in the summer. Under La Liga rules, a player sidelined for four months or more can be classified as a long-term absentee, freeing up 80% of their wages for squad registration purposes.
Initially, Ter Stegen claimed on social media he would miss only three months, prompting disciplinary action. However, the issue was settled after the German signed off on a medical report confirming a longer layoff. The clearance of funds enabled Barcelona to proceed with new registrations, while Ter Stegen has since been reinstated as club captain.
For Rashford, the resolution provides the perfect platform to kick-start his career in Spain. The forward will be eager to make an immediate impact as Barcelona launch their bid to retain the league crown.
