Rashford names Frenkie de Jong as Barcelona’s most underrated player in a recent interview

Key Takeaways:

• Marcus Rashford made his Barcelona debut on Saturday against RCD Mallorca, featuring as a substitute in a 3-0 triumph
• Rashford names Frenkie de Jong as Barcelona’s most underrated player in a recent interview
• He praised manager Hansi Flick’s direct approach and high motivation since joining the club last month

Rashford’s Early Impressions of Barcelona Squad

In his inaugural week of media engagements since joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, Marcus Rashford discussed his experiences adapting to Spanish football and evaluated his new teammates. During an interview with Sport, Rashford described Gavi as the dressing room’s joker and hailed Jules Kounde as the best-dressed among the squad. Rashford also mentioned that Manchester United could benefit from looking to Liverpool for their rebuild, and named Virgil van Dijk as the most challenging defender he has encountered during his career.

When asked about his pick for the Ballon d’Or, Rashford cited Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, or Ousmane Dembele as deserving candidates, and emphasised that both he and Barcelona are striving for success in all competitions this season.

🚨 Who's the most underrated player at Barça?

Rashford: "Frenkie de Jong, for what he does for the team." #fcblive ⭐ pic.twitter.com/CMiPiCnclF

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) August 19, 2025

Praise for Barcelona’s Young Talent and Unsung Contributor

Rashford lavished praise on Lamine Yamal, describing the young talent as “the most talented player I’ve ever played with for his age,” and compared his influence to that of Ronaldo Nazario. He noted Yamal’s consistent impact on the pitch at such a young age and expressed his hopes for the winger’s continued development.

Turning his attention to Pedri, Rashford remarked upon the 22-year-old’s maturity and unique ability to dictate the tempo of games, saying that his composed style makes life easier for forwards.

When asked to select the most underrated figure at the club, Rashford singled out Frenkie de Jong. Rashford explained that, despite the overall strength of the squad, De Jong’s contributions in midfield often fly under the radar. The Dutch international’s excellence in training has frequently been noted by fellow teammates.

Working Under Hansi Flick

Having spent the past month training under German coach Hansi Flick, Rashford expressed clear admiration for the new manager’s leadership. Rashford commented on Flick’s straightforward coaching style and high motivation, qualities he believes are crucial given Barcelona’s young roster. He stated that Flick’s ambition to improve upon last season’s results fosters genuine belief within the squad, and declared himself excited to work with a manager described as “special”.

Debut Performance Against Mallorca

Rashford made his Barcelona debut on Saturday during the 3-0 victory over RCD Mallorca, coming off the bench in the later stages of the match. Although opportunities to demonstrate his attacking prowess were limited, he managed to make several promising runs. This appearance marks the beginning of his competitive journey with the Catalan side as they pursue their ambitions for the campaign.