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Why Marcus Rashford needs no extra motivation to perform against Paris St-Germain
Watch the Champions League on DAZN - US, CA & NZ
There will be a debate to be had in 10 years’ time about how good Marcus Rashford actually was.
Only then will it be known whether the depth of desire inside this mercurial footballer matched the God-given gift inside his feet.
The England striker faces his biggest test yet since joining Barcelona on loan in Wednesday’s Champions League visit of reigning champions Paris St-Germain.
He can, though, draw inspiration from his recent stunning exploits in Europe’s premier competition, when he scored an exquisite matchwinning brace against Newcastle United, and his past record against the French giants.
Turbulent barely begin to describe the past few years of Rashford’s career after he was effectively discarded by Ruben Amorim at Manchester United and advised to leave.
Rashford spent time on loan at Aston Villa in the second half of last season before they decided against paying £40million to make the move permanent.
@FCBarcelona_es
And so, this summer, the England striker got the move he craved by joining Barcelona on a season-long loan.
Much like his time at Villa, and indeed his most recent stint in the first-team at Old Trafford, Rashford has been hit and miss so far in Catalan.
In Matchday One of the Champions League, he was certainly more hit than miss, scoring twice to give the La Liga champions a 2-1 victory at Newcastle.
They were Rashford’s first goals for Hansi Flick’s men and a welcome reminder of the talent which saw him score 138 goals across 426 games for United.
There was a bullet header past Nick Pope for Rashford’s first and then a stupendous, dipping shot from 20 yards which flew in off the underside of the bar to make it 2-0.
That followed his assist against Valencia four days earlier and served as vindication of Flick’s decision to sign the 27-year-old Mancunian.
“I am not surprised,” said Flick at St James’ Park after Rashford’s first goals for Barcelona and his first in the Champions League goals for four years.
@FCBarcelona_es
“His skills are unbelievable, his finishing is unbelievable. His last few years were not easy.
“We always see this in training and we saw it today. I'm happy to have him.
“Two goals will help a lot to get Marcus to the next step. He must make the next step.”
It has not been plain sailing, though.
Rashford was relegated to the bench after being late for a team meeting, although he did come on and set up a goal for Dani Olmo in Barca’s 3-0 win over Getafe.
He was then restored to the starting line-up for the Catalan giants’ next game, a 3-1 victory at Real Oviedo, claiming another assist.
Now Rashford has another golden opportunity to prove himself on the highest stage of European football.
Last season’s Champions League winners Paris St-Germain head to Barcelona on Wednesday in what is undeniably the game of the round in Matchday Two.
The Spanish champions versus the French champions, the return to Barca of club legend Luis Enrique, and a huge test of both side’s Champions League credentials.
For Rashford there is an added layer of intrigue.
He has previously been linked with a move to PSG on more than one occasion and clearly has his admirers within the Parisian club’s hierarchy. And with good reason.
In four previous Champions League games against Paris St-Germain, Rashford has scored in three of them.
In March 2019, Rashford scored a nerveless injury-time penalty as Manchester United staged an incredible comeback to beat Paris St-Germain on away goals and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Two seasons later, Rashford repeated his late heroics against Paris St-Germain with a superb winner as Manchester United marked their return to the Champions League with a 2-1 group-stage victory in the French capital.
Rashford collected a pass from substitute Paul Pogba, beat a PSG defender and fired in off the base of the post from 20 yards.
Paris St-Germain avenged that defeat by winning 3-1 at Old Trafford a few weeks later, but who was on target for United?
It was Rashford again, with his third goal in four appearances against PSG.
Can he do it again? It is a golden opportunity for Rashford to shine for Barcelona on the Champions League stage – and against the best team in Europe.
His motivation could not be greater.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday Two
Tuesday 30 September
- Atalanta vs Club Brugge
- Kairat vs Real Madrid
- Atletico Madrid vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Bodø / Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Chelsea vs Benfica
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool
- Inter Milan vs Slavia Prague
- Marseille vs Ajax
- Pafos vs Bayern Munich
Wednesday 1 October
- Qarabağ vs Copenhagen
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs Newcastle United
- Arsenal vs Olympiakos
- Barcelona vs PSG
- Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV
- Borussia Dortmund vs Athletic Club
- Monaco vs Manchester City
- Napoli vs Sporting CP
- Villarreal vs Juventus
How to watch the Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch select games in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
Between September 25 - October 3, 2025 new customers can get a 20% discount on annual subscription.
An annual upfront payment is now $179.99 reduced from $224.99, while paying monthly for 12 months is $15.99 (down from $19.99) and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high-definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
Between September 25 - October 3, 2025 new customers can get a 20% discount on annual subscription.
An annual upfront payment is now $119.99 reduced from $149.99, while paying monthly for 12 months is $11.99 (down from $14.99) and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, offering differing selections of sports in each. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
