Rashford guides Gordon through Barcelona life despite World Cup rivalry and transfer uncertainty

Marcus Rashford has been sharing local knowledge and dressing-room insight with Anthony Gordon as the Newcastle winger prepares to begin his £70 million move to Barcelona — even though the two men are direct rivals for England’s left-wing berth at the 2026 World Cup.

Gordon confirmed the exchange in an interview with talkSPORT, saying Rashford spoke warmly about the squad’s team spirit and pointed him towards places to live in the city. “He was just telling me how good the lads are there, the team spirit that they have, which I heard already from the people in Barca,” Gordon said. “He was also telling me about the city, places to live. He’s a lovely guy, very caring. So he was just giving me a bit of information.”

The gesture carries a degree of irony. Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, and the Spanish club hold a £26 million option to sign him permanently — though they are hoping to renegotiate those terms while managing their finances. Barcelona’s pursuit of Gordon, combined with reported interest in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, could complicate their ability to retain Rashford, leaving his future at the Nou Camp uncertain.

Rashford’s loan spell produced some notable moments, including a brace against Gordon’s Newcastle in the Champions League. Gordon now arrives at the club that beat him that night, tasked with justifying a significant transfer fee.

The 27-year-old showed little sign of feeling the weight of the price tag. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind of two weeks, but the best two weeks I’ve ever had for me and my family,” he said. “I’m not satisfied at all to just play for Barcelona. I want to win everything. This is where my career begins in my mind. So I’m at the stage I always said I was going to be. Now I need to get to the next level again.”

For English players, a move to Barcelona remains a rare achievement in the modern era, making the bond between Rashford and Gordon — competitors on the international stage, colleagues in the same city — one of the more unusual subplots heading into the new season.