• It’s a marathon, not a sprint

In the aftermath of Barcelona’s painful 2–1 defeat to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the first El Clásico of the season, English star Marcus Rashford broke his post-match silence with a strong, determined message to the Catalan fans via Instagram

His words weren’t mere consolation — they laid out the club’s philosophy for the phase ahead. With the gap to league leaders Real Madrid widening to five points, it’s a margin that can’t be taken lightly in the fierce La Liga race.

Admitting the Setback… and Looking Ahead

Rashford began his message by openly acknowledging the collective disappointment — a necessary step to ease fan frustration. In his statement, followed by millions, he wrote plainly: Of course, not the result we wanted yesterday

That honest admission paved the way for the heart of his message — shifting focus from the sting of defeat to the long road ahead. Rashford used one of sport’s most fitting metaphors: It’s a marathon, not a sprint. We’ll keep fighting

These carefully chosen words reflect more than fleeting optimism — they show the mindset of a professional who knows that titles aren’t won in October. Rashford reminded everyone that losing a battle, even El Clásico, doesn’t mean losing the war. A marathon demands endurance, resilience after setbacks, and faith in recovery. The sprint, however, was those ninety minutes — now in the past

A Performance That Proves the Fight

What adds weight to Rashford’s message is his own performance on the pitch. The Englishman wasn’t invisible — he was Barcelona’s brightest attacking spark, giving his words about “fighting” genuine credibility

Starting the match, Rashford assisted Fermín López for Barcelona’s only goal. That crucial pass wasn’t just another stat — it marked his tenth goal contribution of the season, continuing his impressive form

His message carried a double meaning: individually, he’s delivering; collectively, he believes in the team’s comeback. This balance between personal performance and team spirit is exactly what Barcelona needs right now

The Five-Point Pressure

Timing gives Rashford’s message even more importance. Losing to Real Madrid isn’t just about three points — it’s effectively a six-point swing in the title race: you lose three, your direct rival gains three

Now five points behind Madrid, Barcelona face mounting pressure. In La Liga, leaders rarely slip up, so Xavi’s squad can’t afford further mistakes. Each match ahead becomes crucial, and Rashford’s “marathon” analogy serves as a reminder not to crumble under the weight of expectations — to take it one game at a time

In the end, Rashford’s statement reflects maturity and growing leadership within Barça’s dressing room. He knows how heavy the psychological toll of an El Clásico defeat can be — yet chose to act as the “voice of reason,” reminding everyone that the season is far from over and that continuing the fight is the only option