Lewandowski highlights the biggest quality of Barcelona summer signing: ‘He is the kind of player who…’

When Marcus Rashford arrived at Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, the move immediately became one of the biggest talking points surrounding the club. 

The English forward joined the Catalan side after a difficult spell, which led to plenty of debate about what version of Rashford Barcelona would actually get.

Months later, one player who sees the forward every day in training is Robert Lewandowski. 

Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t SPORT), the Barcelona striker gave a clear assessment of Rashford and the qualities he brings to the team.

According to Lewandowski, it did not take long for him to realise the level of ability Rashford possesses.

“After a few training sessions, no. He has enormous potential,” said the Barcelona veteran.

The Polish striker then described the wide range of attributes the England international offers on the pitch. 

He said that Rashford’s profile is that of a modern attacker who can influence games in multiple ways.

“He has it all. He has speed, he has technique, he has a shot, he has a left foot, a right foot, dribbling.”

Rashford’s biggest strength

However, Lewandowski believes Rashford’s biggest strength is not just his physical ability but the mentality he shows when he feels trusted by his teammates and coaches.

“Marcus is the kind of player who, if you give him confidence and he sees that you believe in him, can give you 200% in return.”

Lewandowski has nothing but praise for Rashford. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Their relationship has also developed away from matches and training sessions. 

The two attackers share moments together at the club’s facilities, which has helped create a friendly atmosphere between them inside the dressing room.

“He’s a very nice guy. We talk because we sit together in the locker room. We also play ping-pong,” he says.

Inside jokes

Naturally, the competitive nature of footballers appears even in their games of table tennis. Lewandowski joked about their matches, insisting he still holds the upper hand.

”He improved, but he couldn’t beat me in any game! He has to change opponents!”

The experienced striker also took the opportunity to address a topic that often appears in discussions about him, which is his age. 

Despite continuing to perform at a high level, Lewandowski believes some criticism aimed at him has been unfair.

“‘He’s old and can’t run,’ they say. And I look at my stats and how I compare to different forwards, and I was among the players who pressed the most during games.”

For Lewandowski, statistics and performances tell a different story from the one sometimes pushed by critics.

“Sometimes what people say is funny because it doesn’t make sense. But for some people, it’s easier to find an excuse to write something about someone,” he concluded.