Reason why Barcelona star missed training for a second consecutive day before Athletic Club clash – report

Barcelona’s preparations for their return to La Liga action took an unexpected turn on Friday morning when Marcus Rashford left the club’s training facilities earlier than planned. 

The timing raised eyebrows inside the club, coming just one day before the clash with Athletic Club at the Spotify Camp Nou. 

The concern grew because this marks the second consecutive session he failed to complete, after already missing Thursday’s training with permission from the club.

Rashford did show up on Friday, but the situation shifted following a brief discussion with head coach Hansi Flick. After assessing him personally, Flick agreed that the forward should be allowed to leave the session, prioritising his condition over the day’s agenda. 

What happened to Rashford?

According to journalist Samuel Marsden’s report, the issue is relatively minor, as Rashford is suffering from a cold, and given the timing, the club considers it highly unlikely that he will be involved in Saturday’s matchday squad.

This development carries weight because Rashford is one of only two Barcelona players who has featured in every game of the season so far. 

His sudden withdrawal naturally caused unease, especially with the team returning to club duties after a two-week international break. 

The forward arrived back in Barcelona fresh off an assist in England’s 2–0 win over Albania, making the likelihood of missing his first game of the campaign all the more notable.

There are reasons to be optimistic 

Even so, not everything about Friday’s session was overshadowed by Rashford’s absence. 

For Flick, there was significant relief in the form of three returning players. Joan Garcia and Raphinha trained without limitations. 

Marc Casado also rejoined the squad, giving the coaching staff a much-needed boost during a particularly congested stretch of the season.

With several key figures reappearing at the right moment, the club hopes the brief concern around Rashford fades as quickly as his cold.