Robert Lewandowski has underlined why Marcus Rashford’s arrival at Barcelona could be a crucial factor in the club’s pursuit of success this season. The Polish striker believes Rashford’s versatility and experience will significantly enhance the performances of teammates like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
As Barcelona prepare for a more challenging 2025/26 season, Lewandowski emphasized the need for the entire squad to step up, especially given the heightened expectations following last season’s trophy-laden campaign. With many teams now targeting Barcelona as the side to beat, he insisted that continued growth and adaptation would be essential.
“This season will be tougher because every team will be looking to beat us,” Lewandowski noted. “We must take a step forward in our development and become even better. Football is constantly evolving, so we need to seek new solutions.”
Rashford, who joins on loan from Manchester United, arrives in Catalonia with a point to prove. After falling out of favor under new United manager Ruben Amorim and spending the latter half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa, the Englishman now has a fresh opportunity to revive his career under Hansi Flick. Rashford’s dynamic style, capable of adapting across the front line, fits well into Flick’s system that favors wide attackers.
“Rashford is immensely talented,” Lewandowski explained. “He has the versatility to play in different positions, which is essential for us given our busy schedule. He’ll definitely be a valuable asset.”
The Barcelona striker also offered encouragement to Lamine Yamal, who turned 18 this summer and is expected to play a more prominent role. Lewandowski believes the young forward is now mature enough to make an even greater impact on the pitch.
The topic of team leadership was also touched on, but Lewandowski played down any importance of titles, stating that leadership comes in many forms and everyone has a role to play.
With Flick entering his second year in charge, Barcelona are hoping to combine domestic dominance with European ambition. As the team prepares for its first pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe, there is a renewed sense of focus on maximizing every player’s contribution, especially with key additions like Rashford now in the fold.
