Ivan Rakitic has seen it all in his illustrious career: Champions League and Europa League Glory, Laliga titles and the evolution of the largest clubs of football.
Now at the age of 37 he plays for Hajduk -split in the Croatian competition, and brings off what has been a remarkable and breathtaking career.
In this exclusive interview, the Croatian midfielder opens about his experiences with legendary coaches, the new era of Barcelona, and those who are his favorites for the Ballon d'Or from 2025.
Flash score: Let's start with a somewhat difficult question. You played for the youth teams of Switzerland before switching to Croatia. How difficult was that decision?
Ivan Rakitic: “I would not want that decision for a young player. It is not an easy decision for me. Because the decision was not against Switzerland or Croatia. It is very difficult to make that decision when you are 17, 18 years old.
“They were very difficult moments and I wish UEFA and FIFA could make it easier for those players, because those decisions when they are made come up with a lot of pressure, and it is not easy. I wouldn't want that on anyone.
“In the end the decision was more a matter of what my heart said. And my heart said I wanted to play for Croatia, and that's why I finally made that change. But they were very complicated times. And I wish no young players should endure that because it is not easy.”
This year Luis Enrique has led PSG to the Champions League final and once transforms a team full of egos into a coherent world-complaining side. You worked with him in Barcelona during another turbulent period. What is his secret?
“It has to do with what you said in your introduction, how strong Luis Enrique is. For me it is no surprise that PSG will reach the final. Enrique said that their best player is leaving, but they will be a better team.
“Although Mbappe left, he still had a very clear plan in the beginning. When I had the first phone call from him, before I signed for Barcelona, I asked to be able to talk to him and he made everything very clear with the first phone call.
“He is a coach who, before taking the first step, has already prepared the second step. It is clear to him that there are no coincidences. It is not often that you see a coach who works so hard and has such clear ideas.
“So I have to congratulate PSG on reaching the Champions League final. In the beginning they struggled but have grown into the competition, and they deserve to be in the final.”
How do you see the UCL -Definitive end between PSG and Inter?
“Luis Enrique and PSG, I think they have grown incredibly. With the matches they have played recently, they are clear favorites to win the title. Although in a final it is very difficult to talk about a favorite, because Inter has also done very well to be there.
“PSG may seem a bit stronger now, but Inter has shown where they are capable of Barcelona. I am sure they are looking for revenge for that final that they lost against Manchester City a few years ago. So it will probably be a very tough game. They are going to fight very hard. They will enjoy a great match and the best team win.”
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is already compared to Messi and Neymar on just 17. What is your opinion about his rise and balloon d'Or chances?
'Well, I am very happy that we are talking about a 17-year-old. This tells us that it is not a matter of age. You are there or you are not.
“If Yamal had reached the final of the Champions League, I don't think we would have doubts that he would win the Ballon d'Or. Although it is an individual prize, titles also count. Then there is (Ousmane) Dembele with the Champions League -Final, especially with how he is also a won in the last month.
The best assist manufacturers in LaLiga this season of Statspleform / Urbanandport / Nurphoto / Nurphoto via AFP
“So, whether it is Dembele or even Pedri, who wins, it will be a good decision. For me personally, Yamal is the favorite. I think it is easier to say this from outside now. Although if he had gone to the Champions League final, he would clearly have been the favorite because that title is very important.”
Lamine Yamal is often compared to Lionel Messi. What is your opinion about that?
“I think that all the merit goes to Yamal with what he does. We all agree that it is unusual for a 17-year-old. First of all, it is not necessary to compare him with someone, especially because there is no comparison with Messi.
“We all know that 99% of us agree that Messi has been the best player of all time and for all of us and personally. I can say that I am more than proud that I have shared for so many years. Messi is part of the history for all of us, and we must be grateful that we can enjoy him.
“Yamal has to build his own path and his own story, and he will. Let us allow him to enjoy himself and dancing on the field as he does. We must also enjoy him. He will leave the inheritance he leaves. Let him continue to dance and wear two, three or five sets of glasses after winning the title.
Barcelona played beautiful football this season under Hansi Flick. What has changed and which player has the most striking?
“The evolution of Flick clearly began with Xavi. Xavi brought out all those young players in those Barcelona. I think these young players were very important. Xavi was a coach who gave them the chance and taught them what it really means to be a Barcelona player at the highest level or what the requirements are.
“Ultimately, the president of Barca, Juan Laporta, must congratulate, because it was 100% the right decision to hire Hansi film, although I would have liked that Xavi would continue a little longer. This season the young players have improved week after week. Everyone is happy to see that there is a very clear evolution.
“Pedri has been a very good player so far, and this makes the difference. If you look at the statistics, Pedri comes up everywhere. Physically he has been at a top level throughout the season. This has to do with the new coach and the staff who has managed all these details for Pedri for the best of every player.
What is the key to Barcelona's progress this season, and what do they need for next year?
“I think it is fascinating how the team is together. I think they have around 16 players who play at the highest level. It is good that we can see that there is no problem with egos. Being united is very important in great teams. I think it is important to have a healthy team that helps each other, and Barcelona has done that, apart from inconvenient individual quality.
“So it is a mix between players with a lot of experience such as Inigo Martinez, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ter Stegen and Szczesny. They have succeeded in bringing those young players to an incredible level. Flick has done a great job to bring them all together, because you are also there in the last few months, because you are also there too.
“I think this will be the key for next season. They must stay together and adjust a few details, such as what happens to Inter, for example. You can't score seven goals against you in the semi -final, and these are small details that need to be corrected. But it is a young team that continues to grow and if they can keep that way, I think they should become a big team for many years.”
What makes the young players of Barcelona so special, and how important is La Masia?
“It probably has a lot to do. It is no coincidence. After this great generation with Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, there is another generation like that and it probably has a lot to do with what they have learned when they are very young.
“It is not only a matter of finding quality and talent. It is also a matter of what you give them when it comes to development. How many times have we seen players with incredible talent that it did not eventually have achieved? For a player like Yamal has 100 official games at the age of 17 and are the champion of Europe with Spain, that is incredible.
“So we have to congratulate La Masia on their work, and I am very happy that you have asked the question because it is easy to go on the market and sign a player and spend a lot of money. But the children of the Academy have that relationship with each other because they have known each other for many years.”
You were part of the golden generation of Barcelona. Would one of the players of today fit into that team?
“Probably a lot. It is true that we had an incredible group, especially the first few years. 2014-2016 were some of our best years and the fact is that it is very difficult to bring someone to that team.
“However, good players are always welcome and they can help. I was asked if there would be room for Yamal. Well, if you compete with Messi, there is no room for someone. But we would have found a way to fit Yamal or Pedri, or now, Inigo Martinez, all of them. They are all incredible players.
“I think it is important not to make too many comparisons. I want this Barcelona to write its own history. I hope they win more titles than we did for the happiness of all supporters. This is what we all want. Although we have experienced incredible times, and the fact is that I feel very proud of being part of it.
Xabi Alonso will take over at Real Madrid after his success at Leverkusen. How do you think he will do it in Spain?
“I think it will be interesting to see. We all agree that we are expecting a completely different Madrid with Xabi Alonso, especially because of his way of understanding football. I think he will be a very different coach than Ancelotti.
“That is not better neither worse, just different. But you have seen how Leverkusen played, or the evolution that has taken place in the team in Leverkusen in the past two years. It is also clear that it is something else that Real Madrid coaches.
“I think Madrid will make a big leap next year, because my opinion is that Alonso is already one of the best coaches in the world, not only because of his way of understanding the game, but also the way he manages a group.
“I have heard many things from Germany, fantastic things about him, and that can make the difference. We will also see to what extent they let him work in Madrid. I hope he will have as much freedom as he had with Leverkusen. In the end, that will be good for the world of football, even if he is in the other team. But I really wish him the best.”
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