Barcelona forward and England international Marcus Rashford has formed a deep relationship with Swedish winger Roony Bardghji. Both players joined the Catalans before the start of the season, one on loan from Premier League giants Manchester United and the other on a permanent deal from Danish heavyweights Copenhagen.
Rashford & Roony: Peas in a pod
The Swedish and English wingers rocked up at the Catalan club around the same time, with Bardghji's signing being announced just over a week before the Catalan club brought Rashford in from United on an initial loan deal. The pair are at different stages of their careers – Bardghji is 19 and Rashford is 27 – and their on-field fortunes with the Spanish champions have differed so far. The Englishman has already earned a place in the starting XI and has five goals under his belt while Bardghji has mainly been used from the bench, having started two of his six appearances. Nevertheless, it appears the pair have grown close off the field.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportBardghji reiterates Rashford friendship
Not long after his arrival, Bardghji spoke of his budding friendship with the England international and it appears the relationship is still blossoming as the teenager singled out Rashford again.
"I'm very close to Rashford," he told . "We arrived at the same time, so everything was new for us. We always trained together, doing drills. Everything was new, so yes, we're pretty close. But, I mean, the whole team helped me a lot."
Barca's calculated risk with Rashford & Roony
Rashford was snapped up by Barcelona after a dismal period at United. After coming through the youth academy to become one of the team's top stars, his situation grew dire under Erik ten Hag and did not improve when Ruben Amorim took over. He bounced back with a positive loan spell at Aston Villa in the second-half of last season but opted to leave the Premier League altogether in the summer when Hansi Flick's side came calling. He has already declared his intention to stay at the Catalan club on a permanent basis.
Similarly, Bardghji rose from Copenhagen's U-19 squad and stunned in the senior team by scoring seven goals in 19 league games in 2023-24. However, it was his and Copenhagen's exploits in the Champions League – they beat Manchester United and Galatasaray and drew with Bayern Munich – that saw him catch the eye of Barcelona, among other sides. Despite missing almost the entirety of last season with a cruciate ligament tear, Barca were already convinced and opted to sign him in July.
Bardghji names his Barcelona idols
While Rashford is the man lifting the Sweden international's spirits these days, it is the heroes of the past who encouraged Bardghji to make the move to the Camp Nou club, as he named Argentine icons Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are his idols.
He said: "Apart from Messi, I've always said this, but… Maradona. Well, Maradona. I know it wasn't my era, but I've still seen him, I watch football, I watch clips, I see everything. My father told me about him. And he was very, very left-footed, really very good. So imagine if he'd also had a good right foot… he would have been unstoppable. But yes, Maradona, I think if it's not Messi, then it would be him."