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On-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was the last member of the Barcelona squad to be presented to the crowd before the reigning Spanish champions took an early lead against Como in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy match on Sunday.
Taking place at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff because renovation work at Barca’s Camp Nou home is not complete, the spectacle started with the home squad emerging individually from the tunnel to a light show.
Rashford, who was declared “your new idol” by Barca on social media, waved to the crowd before becoming the first male English player to start for the club since Gary Lineker in 1989.
Midfielder Fermin Lopez stole the show in the 21st minute, pouncing on a loose pass to move inside the penalty area and swing a low, left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Jean Butez for the opening goal.
Number 14… Marcus Rashford!!! pic.twitter.com/DwoD4sXc1N
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 10, 2025
Barcelona vs Como: Joan Gamper 2025
Italian top-flight side Como’s starting team included Sergi Roberto, who was with Barcelona between 2006 and 2024, and Alex Valle, who joined Como from Barca in January.
They are managed by former Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who watched on as a series of pre-match speeches took place on the pitch.
“Thank you so much for your support last year,” manager Hansi Flick told the crowd (via AS), speaking in Spanish as the German prepares for his second season in charge.
“We had some wonderful moments together. It was a special year and we want to continue this wonderful story.
“In the new season, we’ll work hard and without excuses. We want to win many matches and many titles. Long live Barca and long live Catalunya.”
Marcus Rashford contract, salary
United gave Rashford a new contract until 2028 less than two years ago, paying the club academy product £325,000 a week.
Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, who paid three-quarters of his wages, according to The Athletic.
He is one of the top earners at United alongside the likes of captain Bruno Fernandes and former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro.
Marcus Rashford stats
Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-loan, reportedly taking a 25% pay cut as part of a deal offering his loan club a £30.3 million buying option for the 27-year-old.
The former United top scorer produced four goals and six assists in 17 appearances at Villa, having become a peripheral figure at United since Ruben Amorim’s appointment as manager in November.
Villa manager Unai Emery started Rashford in all four of their Champions League knockout stage matches in 2023/24 and saw him score twice in his final four league starts.
Rashford’s season ended with a hamstring injury that initially kept him out of Aston Villa’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace on April 26.
He made his non-competitive Barca debut off the bench in a 3-1 win at Japanese side Vissel Kobe in July.
Barcelona lineup vs Como
Robert Lewandowski, who scored 42 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions last season to help Barcelona win LaLiga, missed out with a hamstring injury.
Goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen has had more surgery on lower back problems and Marc Bernal is awaiting the all-clear in the midfielder’s recovery from a long-term knee injury.
Barcelona starting XI: Joan Garcia; Eric, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Fermin; Yamal, Raphinha, Rashford
Barcelona substitutes: Gavi, Ferran, Inaki Pena, Christensen, Casado, Roony, Kounde, Szczesny, Jofre, Dro, Fernandez, Guille, Kochen, Fort, Martin
Is Barcelona vs Como on TV? Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off was at 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT on Sunday and was free to watch on Barcelona’s YouTube channel.
When does Barcelona’s 2025/26 LaLiga season start?
Barca start their season at Mallorca, who finished 10th last season, on Saturday, August 16 at 16:30 BST.
They are expected to play at least their first three league games of the season away while work on their Camp Nou stadium is finished, meaning they will not play a home match until mid-September at the earliest.
The first instalment of El Classico in 2025/26 will be on Matchweek 10 in late October, when Barca travel to Real Madrid.
