Marcus Rashford’s hopes of staying with Barcelona beyond this season have received a huge shot in the arm.
That’s because Joan Laporta, one of his biggest supporters at the club, has been re-elected as their president for a fourth term until 2031.
Rashford has made no secret of his desire to stay with Barca but a lack of certainty over their leadership threw up questions about the Manchester United loanee’s future.
But Laporta, who was re-elected with 68 per cent of the vote, reportedly made keeping the forward an important part of his manifesto.
And Laporta, 63, celebrated beating Victor Font in the contest with a Donald Trump-style dance as his supporters boogied around him.
Not everything went to plan, though. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was turned away from the ballot box after failing to update his club membership and therefore wasn’t on the electoral roll, as per ESPN.
Marcus Rashford’s hopes of staying at Barcelona have received a major boost after Joan Laporta was re-elected as the club’s president
Laporta has made clear his intention to keep Rashford despite the club’s financial struggles
Barcelona have a £26million optional buy clause in their loan for Rashford and Man United will be powerless to keep him if they activate it. Whether Barca will have the financial muscle to pull that off is another matter.
Laporta recently said about Rashford: ‘We could extend the loan more, we depend on what Deco [sporting director] wants.
‘There are formulae, such as paying part of the purchase option to Manchester United, and the rest we will see.
‘He gives us good numbers in goals and statistics, good vibes, and is very much for the foundation.’
Rashford has found a new lease of life in Spain, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists.
Speaking as early as October last year, the 28-year-old insisted he wanted to hang around.
‘For sure [I want to stay],’ he told ESPN.
‘I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour.’
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was awkwardly turned away after failing to register for the vote
Rashford could yet win a Treble in his first season with the club. They lead the way in LaLiga, are well-placed to beat Newcastle in the Champions League last 16, and lifted the Spanish Super Cup in January.
He has put down roots in Barcelona after moving into an apartment in the upmarket district of Esplugues de Llobregat, an area which has played host to a score of Barcelona icons including Gerard Pique and Andre Iniesta. One of his newest neighbours is team-mate Lamine Yamal.
The plush surroundings allow for time spent pursuing new hobbies when Rashford takes time off from training, including padel and fishing, and indulging in delicious Mediterranean cuisine local to the region such as Spanish jamon and fresh seafood.
Rashford has also been able to relocate his dog, a Cane Corso called Saint, and has shared pictures of friends and family staying at his new pad, deepening the feeling of homeliness he appears to have established in Catalonia.
Another important person seemingly back by his side in Barcelona? His girlfriend Lucia Loi, who was previously engaged to Rashford before they are thought to have split for the second time in June 2023.
Rashford has described it as the ‘perfect place’ for him.
