At a glance
- Raphinha is expected to be out for five weeks thanks to a muscle injury picked up on international duty.
- In his absence, Marcus Rashford has the perfect chance to become a protagonist on the left wing.
- Taking the opportunity to shine can also convince the board to make his loan from Manchester United permanent.
The March 2026 international break has left a deep scar on Hansi Flick’s plans at FC Barcelona.
The confirmation that Raphinha will be sidelined for five weeks due to a tear in his right hamstring picked up on international duty for Brazil has come as a blow at the Spotify Camp Nou.
However, in the world of football, one man’s misfortune is often another’s opportunity. For Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, the coming months are not just about matches; they are his last chance to convince Joan Laporta to exercise his buy-option believed to be €30 million.
The ‘Raphinha Scenario’: A void of 11 goals and 3 assists at FC Barcelona
Raphinha was starting to put together another career peak season under Flick, with 11 La Liga goals and a defensive influence the German manager considers indispensable. His absence leaves a void on the left wing that only one player can naturally fill, however, and that’s Rashford.
To date, the Englishman has lived in the Brazilian’s shadow, racking up only sporadic minutes (barely 28 in the last four matches before the break). Despite his inconsistency, his statistics are far from mediocre: 10 goals and 13 assists in 39 competitive matches this season.
Now, with no direct competition for his position, Rashford must prove he can be the leader Barça need in the Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético Madrid with legs set to be played on April 8th and 14th home and away.
Already on Friday, in a 1-1 draw against Uruguay, he showed what he is capable of with a great performance for his country at Wembley which involved runs that burned his teammate Ronald Araujo and Real Madrid rival Fede Valverde on the wing.
The numbers behind the “Rashford Plan”
The loan agreement signed in July 2025 between Barça and Manchester United included a clause that is now more relevant than ever. The Catalan club has the option to sign the England international on a permanent basis if it pays a fee of around €30 million.
Signing or another loan?
The club’s financial situation means every euro must be carefully considered. According to sources close to the club, there are three scenarios on the table:
- Permanent transfer: If Rashford shines in April, Barça will pay the €30 million to prevent United from reclaiming him or selling him to the Premier League.
- Loan renewal: An option favoured by the club’s management, extending the loan for another year with an obligation to buy in 2027.
- The farewell: If Rashford fails to step up without Raphinha, Flick will prioritise finding a younger player or one with greater defensive intensity.
| Season 25/26 | Marcus Rashford | Raphinha |
| Goals | 10 | 15 |
| Assists | 13 | 7 |
| Average minutes per match | 48.4 | 65.3 |
| Purchase Option / Status | €30,000,000 | Permanent Squad Member |
The “Flick Factor”: What Rashford is missing at FC Barcelona
Although Hansi Flick has repeatedly declared himself ‘in love’ with Rashford’s individual talent, the German manager demands a qualitative leap in two key aspects for his system:
- Defensive commitment: Pressing after losing possession is the cornerstone of Flick’s Barça, something at which Raphinha excels and where Rashford sometimes falls short.
- Consistency: The coaching staff are looking for a 90-minute player, not just a player who makes an electric impact coming off the bench.
A month to decide a career
With the Clásico on May 10 and the Champions League tie on the horizon, Marcus Rashford holds the key to his own future in his boots. If he can maintain his goal-scoring form and show the dedication required by the club’s badge, Barça will find it hard to say ‘no’ to a talent of his calibre for just €30 million. It’s now or never for the number 10 who wants to be a star again, this time in a Barça shirt.
