Barcelona officially announced their third signing of the summer earlier today as Marcus Rashford, the talented young winger from Manchester United who arrived amid massive hype around his abilities.

Recent years have not been easy on the Englishman, but Hansi Flick and Co. saw him to be the best option given the club’s situation, especially after the failed Nico Williams saga.

Earlier today, he was officially announced as the team’s latest player and is expected to even make the squad for the Asia tour under Hansi Flick.

Rashford’s first official interview as a Barcelona player
Speaking to the media during his presentation as a new Barcelona player, Rashford spoke on a number of topics, including his excitement over the transfer, ambitions and feelings about the team.

He began by expressing his sheer joy in signing for the biggest club in the world, saying,

“I want to win the biggest trophies and feel like Barcelona is a huge club in the football world, so it is the perfect place.”

“You see, with the team last season, they have a young, ambitious team, and I want to add my qualities, my personality, improve the team and help them win,” he added.

Elaborating on how it was not really a difficult decision for him to make, the Englishman said,

“Not difficult. I was clear on my preference from the beginning. Actually, from maybe in January. It didn’t work out in January so I went to Aston Villa and enjoyed a good period there. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play there.”

He then spoke on how he felt it was time he played for a different club and hit the restart button, and how the current move served exactly that purpose.

“It was time to make another decision. My choice was easy. It’s a family club, something I’m used to from my past. It feels like home. I feel I made the right decision.”

“I’m excited to get going and eager to play the first game in front of the fans. It’s a special moment. I’m ready to get going,” he added.

Rashford was then asked to comment on his parent club, Manchester United, where he has suffered a rough time in recent years.

“The situation with United is that the club is in a period of transition, and they have been for a while. I don’t have anything bad to say, as it has been an important part not just of my career but my life. So I was grateful for the opportunity,” he said.

“But like life, not everything goes as simply as you thought, and this is my next chapter, and I’m fully focused on improving myself and helping the team win trophies,” he added.

“I have nothing bad to say about United. I wish them all the best and hope they are successful in the future,” Rashford concluded.

The new signing will wear the number 14 shirt for Barcelona, as revealed earlier today on his presentation. On his choice, he said,

“It’s a traditional number [14] for the club. It’s a unique club. Everything about the club is special. To wear this shirt is an honour. I’m ready to do my best for the club.”

“For me, it’s about winning. All my life, growing up, watching Barcelona games, the club is about winning. It’s about enjoyment and expressing yourself. The club is built on winning. I’m here to try to add to this history,” he added.

The winger also acknowledges how being in Barcelona just felt right on multiple levels and how he was eager to get going.

“Right now, I am in a good place. I am happy and healthy. I am eager to get going.”

“I’m happy to be here, I’m ready to be here, and I’m eager to get going and experience this club. Living in a different country, a different league with different teams. These are things I am not afraid of,” he added.

Barcelona were easily one of the most impressive teams last season, and the new signing had no hesitation in admitting the talent in the squad.

“A lot of the players have impressed me. There are a lot of young players, but they play football so maturely.”

“But in the dressing room, they’re still kids. It’s good. It’s very encouraging. The manager has done a great job with the team, especially last season, to do what he did with such a young team is impressive,” he added on Hansi Flick.

Rashford also appreciated the mentality in the dressing room, saying,

“Last season is forgotten about [at Barca]. They are focused on improving. The determination is very high.”

“It’s a perfect fit for where I am in my career,” he added.

The English winger pushed to sign for Barcelona back in January, but the deal did not go through. Eventually, he has now made the move six months later.

“I know from the conversations with the president and manager and [sporting director] Deco, they were happy to get the deal done.”

“Sometimes, as a player, you know when it is the right time and the right fit. I am a believer that things happen when they should, and maybe this is the right time. I am ready to give my all, and that is the best you can do,” he added on the same.

Rashford even spoke on how he felt connected to the club despite just arriving, and the deep conversations he has shared with the club members behind the scenes.

“I feel we’ve been in communication for a while now. It was something I was hoping to get done. The manager is a huge part of why I’m here. If the manager doesn’t want it doesn’t happen.”

“From the conversations I’ve had with everyone at the club, they fill me with confidence. I don’t have any negative thoughts. I’m excited. I’m ready for whatever challenges may come. I’m going to enjoy the ups and downs. The main thing is to sacrifice to win,” he added.

The player then declared that he would never regret his choice and decision to sign for Barcelona.

“We had [other] options, but in the end, I have to make a decision, and in my mind, I never changed it. It is difficult not to be disrespectful [to other clubs] and I don’t mean to, but I had to make a decision.”

“I would have waited longer if I had to. Regardless of what happens this season, I am not going to regret my decision,” he added on what it meant to him.

The player has now followed the steps of the legendary Gary Lineker, who was the last Englishman to sign for Barcelona.

“I hope so. It’s not easy for players to come to such a big club and perform. I’m ready. I’m going to accept these challenges I will face,” he said when asked if he could equal the legend’s goal tally.

“I will enjoy it. I’m here to show myself, my quality. It will be good for me to score lots of goals and be the highest scoring British player for Barcelona, but it’s more important to win,” he added.

Speaking on Lamine Yamal, the player admitted the special and obvious talent in the teenager’s boots.

“He is a very special talent, and for me, I feel definitely last season, he is 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. I am happy and eager to play with them on the pitch. Maybe I can help them, and for sure, they can help me. It is going to be exciting,” he added.

When quizzed on whether La Liga or the Premier League was better in terms of quality, the new signing said,

“I don’t know yet because I haven’t played. From playing against Spanish teams, it’s a very technical league. Everyone plays well with the ball.”

“These are things that excite me – the unknown. Not 100% sure of what I’ll be facing, but I’m ready to face it. On the journey, I’m going to enjoy it,” he added.

Rashford also made it very clear that winning the UEFA Champions League was a serious target for Barcelona this season.

“It is what the club was fighting for last year, and they were very close, and I hope they can take the next step this year.”

“This is a historic club, and they are known for winning the biggest prizes. I am here to help the club do that. It is a dream of mine for sure,” he added.

Towards the end of his interview, the player was asked about the secret sauce of the dressing room that kept the team so united.

“It’s a team that’s happy. When a team is happy, it’s good to go into that environment.”

“The club is about people putting smiles on the Barcelona fans. It’s a historic football club known for playing beautiful football. It’s about playing with pride to protect the badge and playing with freedom to excite the fans and win matches,” he added.

“It’s an easy dressing room to be relaxed and a very ambitious dressing room,” he concluded on that topic.

Finally, Rashford reiterated that he was raring to go and that he would give his all for the club’s crest.

“I know myself, one of my best skills is to adapt and change to circumstances on the pitch, especially in games, I don’t have any fears about this. In time, it will be a good match.”

“I am eager to make it happen as soon as possible, to feel comfortable and show my skills in this team. I hope it happens straight away, but sometimes it is not as simple as that,” he added.

“I also want to get a better understanding of the club, the fans and the culture, I want to experience everything, not just on the pitch,” he concluded.

Bbc.com