Rio Ferdinand snubs Lionel Messi when naming shock Barcelona legend Marcus Rashford should model himself on
Rio Ferdinand overlooked Lionel Messi when picking out the Barcelona player that Marcus Rashford should model his game on.
Last month, the speculation surrounding Rashford's future ended as he joined Barcelona on loan for the 25/26 season.
It has been said that the La Liga champions could make Rashford's loan move permanent by paying Manchester United around £30 million.
Since then, the 27-year-old made his Barcelona debut against Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
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Rashford then recorded his first assist for his new club during a 7-3 win over South Korean outfit FC Seoul.
Over the weekend, Rashford scored his first goal for Barcelona as Hansi Flick's men beat Daegu FC 5-0.
Discussing Rashford's move to Catalonia, former United defender Ferdinand advised the forward to model his game on one Barcelona legend.
Speaking on Rio Presents, Ferdinand said: "People want to see people fail, man. Go on the pitch and what is the differentiator between you and everyone else? Outside of goals and assists. What is that? Hunt man down, run, aggressive.
"If he came up with just that, I think they go 'Rah, we've unloaded an animal."
He added: "If I was on his team now, I'm going 'Right, don't watch Messi, don't watch Henry, don't watch Eto'o, don't watch Villa, watch Pedro, the winger from before in our time.
"Why am I watching him? He's not the best player, he's not as talented, he's not like Marcus, he don't play the same way, no, no, no.
"The press, he was the instigator, he was the trigger, bang and he was aggressive without the ball. We probably spent as much time talking about him as anyone else in the team before the game. And in that Barca team, I guarantee you, you speak to all them man, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, talk about great players in that team, he'll be one of the first names they talk about because of what he gave them."
Rio’s Unexpected Barcelona Star who should be Marcus Rashford's Role Model 🔵🔴
— Rio Ferdinand Presents (@FIVEUK) August 5, 2025
CC: @rioferdy5, @joelbeya pic.twitter.com/xVJUJl8mlc
Speaking about how he can impact the team, Rashford said: "I think I can play in different positions and score from different areas of the attack. I accept the challenge."
Rashford and Barcelona will be back in action this weekend when they take on Italian side Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Lionel Messi, Rio Ferdinand, Football, FC Barcelona
Marcus Chan