MARCUS RASHFORD not only sealed his dream move to Barcelona this week but also his reunion with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi.
The forward has joined the LaLiga giants from Manchester United on a loan with an option to buy for the 2025/26 season.
Rashford, 27, will be hoping the move to Spain can see him regain the form that made him one of the best in the Premier League.
And he will have plenty of support from the pitchside from partner Luica.
She was present while Rashford took part in his Barcelona photoshoot before his unveiling at the Camp Nou.
SunSport understands that the Red Devils exile asked Lucia, 26, to help him settle in Spain to allow him to focus on football.
They were spotted together at the recording of his Barcelona announcement video.
PR guru Lucia could be seen taking a picture of Rashford and checking his new shirt.
The couple first met while they were attending Aston on Mersey School in Manchester.
They were in a relationship as Rashford made his stunning debut for Man United in the Europa League against FC Midtjylland in February 2016.
It was a memorable match for the forward as he marked his competitive debut with a brace during the 5-1 win at Old Trafford.
The relationship hit a rocky patch in 2021 during the Covid pandemic as they split, but only to reconcile the next year.
In June 2022, Rashford proposed to Lucia with a £250,000 engagement ring after enjoying a romantic meal at Catch LA in West Hollywood, California.
He shared a picture of the moment on social media, which showed the pair sharing a kiss.
The smooch was snapped as they stood in front of a stunning heart-shaped flower arrangement.
Lucia was a regular backer of Rashford as she was often spotted in the Old Trafford stands cheering him on.
However, their engagement ended in June 2023 after the England international was seen with a model outside a Miami hotel.
At the time, SunSport exclusively revealed that they broke up because the relationship had “run its course”.
Lucia had gone on a social media blackout but returned the following month by leaving her “social media grave”.
The couple stayed in contact and even had dinner in Manchester later that year.
Rashford was at the time romantically linked to model and former Love Island contestant Grace Jackson, but that is believed to have ended in December 2023.
A source has said that despite the fizzling of their engagement, they have continued to remain friends and have grown close again.
They added: “Marcus knows that some of the best moments in his career have occurred when Lucia has been at his side.
“They got together when they were very young and have had ups and downs, but a friendship has always remained.
“He knows that she is good for him and she is one of the few people in the world he knows has got his best interests at heart.
“She is very sensible and helps keep him grounded.”
Meanwhile, Rashford will be the first England international to wear Barcelona colours since Gary Lineker.
The former Match of the Day host played there for three years between 1986 and 1989.
And he has been rewarded with the club’s iconic No.14 shirt that has previously been worn by the likes of Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry.
Read the full article here