Marcus Rashford and Joan García have officially been registered by LaLiga, making them eligible for Barcelona’s season opener against Mallorca.
What’s Behind the Delay?
- Financial Fair Play pressures forced the Catalan giants to delay registrations. The club has been spending more on signings and wages than revenue allows.
- The injury absence of longtime shot-stopper and captain Marc-André ter Stegen (out for several months) was leveraged to free up 80% of his salary, easing regulatory strain and allowing García’s registration.
- For Rashford, Barcelona secured necessary financial clearance by offloading a portion of Francisco Trincão’s rights for €11 million and extending Jules Koundé’s contract, which helped with budgeting and amortization concerns
Confirmation from the Top
Club President Joan Laporta confirmed that all documentation had been completed and that both players would be available for coach Hansi Flick for the Mallorca match.
What Next?
Although Rashford and García are now in, Barcelona still faces hurdles with registering several other players — including Wojciech Szczęsny, Gerard Martin, Roony Bardghji, Marc Bernal, and Héctor Fort, who remain in limbo.
Summary Table
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | Registered in time | Loan from Man Utd; available for Mallorca opener. |
| Joan García | Registered in time | Signed from Espanyol; utilizes Ter Stegen’s salary space. |
| Other Squad Members | Not yet registered | Awaiting compliance, finances, and squad space clearance. |
| Financial Relief Moves | Enabled registrations | Ter Stegen’s injury status, Trincão sale, Koundé contract extension. |
Bottom line: In a dramatic last-minute resolution, Barcelona overcame financial fair play hurdles to register both Rashford and García just in time for their LaLiga opener. However, the club must still navigate further registration challenges for several other players as the season unfolds.
