Barcelona watch Abde and Virgili excel while Rashford cost divides opinion – Report | OneFootball

The La Liga matchday 24 was not a round to remember for FC Barcelona fans, as they watched their team lose 2-1 to Girona and surrender top spot in the table to Real Madrid.

However, there were other intriguing fixtures in this round, particularly the match between Mallorca and Real Betis, which ended in a 2-1 win for the latter.

As Mundo Deportivo has noted, the match featured two former Barcelona players on opposite wings, Ez Abde for Betis and Jan Virgili for Mallorca, both leaving a strong impression.

Abde was the standout performer on the night. The Moroccan winger opened the scoring with a sharp finish using his weaker right foot and then dominated the contest with relentless pace, explosive dribbling, and confidence in one-on-one situations.

He is currently enjoying the best spell of his career, having carried his momentum from an excellent Africa Cup of Nations into club football. Under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini at Betis, Abde has added end product and consistency to qualities that were never in doubt.

His improved finishing addresses the very weakness that once limited his chances at Barcelona and is now turning him into a highly attractive asset ahead of the next World Cup.

Barcelona’s role in his development and departure also draws attention. Sporting director Deco sanctioned Abde’s sale to Betis for €7.5 million while retaining a share of a future transfer and a buy-back option. However, in facilitating Vitor Roque’s exit, the club ultimately lost control over a winger who is now rising rapidly in value.

On the opposite flank, Jan Virgili also caught the eye with his direct running, flair, and ability to destabilize defenders. Only 19 years old, he was considered one of the brightest jewels of La Masia before Barcelona sold him to Mallorca for €3.5 million to ease financial pressure.

Since then, Virgili has shown maturity and personality at senior level, suggesting that his projection remains very high despite his early departure.

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

The performances of Abde and Virgili inevitably reopen the debate around Barcelona’s squad planning. Both players could have been solid alternatives on the left wing with strong long-term potential. However, Barcelona decided to let them leave and instead brought in Marcus Rashford on loan with a €30 million purchase option.

While Rashford’s raw output at Barcelona stands at 10 goals and 10 assists, he has not been a guaranteed starter under Hansi Flick, and questions persist about whether committing €30 million to retain him permanently makes sporting and financial sense.

As Barcelona continue to navigate economic constraints and long-term rebuilding, the rise of former academy talents elsewhere serves as a reminder of the opportunities lost and the difficult choices still to come.

Whether the club doubles down on an expensive short-term solution or reopens the door to trusting younger profiles with greater future upside remains one of the key angles shaping the months ahead.