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Marcus Rashford: 'I always want to try to make a difference'

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England star Marcus Rashford is hoping to make it to theWorld Cup next summer, after starting the season well for his new club Barcelona.

He joined the Spanish giants on loan from Manchester United over the summer.

He recently took part in his first community project for the club.

He went to a local school where he spent time chatting to the children there and even played a bit of football with them outside on the playground.

He also spoke about how much life has changed for him since he was a teenager.

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New life in Spain

Marcus Rashford.Getty Images

Rashford said that he was enjoying his life in Barcelona, after moving in the summer on a one-year loan deal, calling it "a great learning curve."

He added: "Learning the language and stuff like that, learning the culture, it's all enjoyable for me."

"I'm here to play football. But I'm also here to enjoy myself and have a good time and learn on and off the pitch."

Rashford explained that he was loving the challenge of learning Spanish and being in another country.

"It's something I wanted to do for a long time and this is the perfect opportunity.

"I'm understanding more now, and the speaking side of it, it's more just confidence to do it in front of a group so I hope I'll be able to do that whilst I'm there.

The 28-year-old has even found a new favourite Spanish food, paella - which is a traditional seafood rice dish.

"I'd probably say paella is my favourite just because I eat a lot of fish already and obviously rice and carbs is high in my diet anyway."

Playing for Barcelona

Marcus Rashford training.Getty Images

Rashford has had a great start with Barcelona, scoring six goals and making eight assists in 21 appearances since the start of the season.

The striker said he's found it really easy setting in with his new club and teammates.

"It's been amazing. I feel welcome, I feel at home. I've just been enjoying every step of the way."

"It's a new language of football," said Rashford. "I've always been, like many people in the world, an admirer of Spanish football.

Rashford also admitted that Barcelona was his "favourite club outside of England."

"To play for the biggest club in Spain is a huge honour. I'm looking forward to playing more games here, just doing my best and try to help the team to win."

And Rashford seemed positive that the club can have a successful season too.

"We have the conditions to go and win and we just have to work together as a team and continue with the focus that we have and try to bring the best level."

Rashford's advice to others

Rashford celebrating with teammates.Reuters

It's not only on the pitch where Rashford has made headlines.

He has previously successfully campaigned for free food vouchers for children to be made available for families during the summer holidays.

Rashford said his own experience in childhood was the reason why he wanted to try to help people.

"From when I was 9 or 10 years old, I always wanted to try to make a make a difference. I think it just comes from growing up in the type of environment I did," Rashford explained.

His visit, to a school in Barcelona, was part of his first community project since joining the club.

"I'm from a different country but you come here, you see so many similarities, and a couple of the stories that some of ladies were telling me on the way to the school, it's like we're so similar and experience some of the similar situations."

"This is why it's easy for me to connect and feel comfortable in these environments, probably more easy than it is for me to feel comfortable in some of the environments that I'm in more."

Rashford also had some good advice for the school children he met.

"It's important for the kids to know that..it's normal for them to be successful.

"I want them to know to not be afraid to strive for that," he added.

And Rashford said he hopes he can carry on helping others.

"I'm pleased that I've managed to do the things I've been able to do so far, and hopefully continue in the future."

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