Ivan Rakitić: Playing With MSN & Scoring In The Champions League Final

Summary

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Podcast Summary

The Rest Is Football

Episode: Ivan Rakitić: Playing With MSN & Scoring In The Champions League Final
Date: October 29, 2025
Host(s): Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards (main hosts, not present in the interview), Alex Aljo (interviewer, La Liga correspondent)
Guest: Ivan Rakitić

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Overview

This episode is a special, in-depth interview with Ivan Rakitić, conducted by Alex Aljo in Madrid for the La Liga edition of "The Rest Is Football." The discussion explores Rakitić’s journey from Sevilla to Barcelona, his experiences at the heart of legendary teams—most notably during the “MSN” era—his thoughts on iconic matches like El Clásico and the Champions League final, and his perspectives on football’s evolving generations. Rakitić’s honesty shines through as he reflects on glory, regret, and the meaning of home.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Life and Beginnings in Spain

• Returning to Spain:
  • Rakitić feels Spain is his second home: “A lot of emotion. It’s by the way my home.” (04:00)
• Settling in Sevilla:
  • He quickly adapted, owing to similarities with Croatian culture. “People are really open, really happy. So it was quite easy to get in the right mood in Sevilla.” (04:15)
• Meeting His Wife:
  • A personal story: Met his wife Raquel on his very first night at the hotel in Sevilla—described affectionately as a “Hollywood story.” (04:51)
  • “We had to drink during seven months. A lot of coffee… Not easy. But for the important and big things, you have to work.” (05:19)

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Barcelona: Pressure, Triumph, and MSN Magic

• Adapting to Barcelona’s Expectations:
  • "To explain the history of Barcelona in words, it’s impossible… You can just understand it when you’re really there.” (05:59)
• 2014/15 Historic Treble:
  • The turning point came after a difficult winter.
    • “In December and January some hard moments… sometimes it’s the best part of football. Everything can really quickly change.” (06:50)
    • “We did the perfect Champions League in this year. Winning the German champion, Italian champion, French champion... Man City...” (07:31)
• Midfield Chemistry:
  • With Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets: “It was blind understanding... really important for the team.” (07:55, 08:13)
• Manager Luis Enrique:
  • Praises his impact and ability to maximize the team’s potential. “He really needs time just to get the understanding of his players. Once he get this, I think it’s working amazing.” (08:38)
• Playing Behind Messi, Suárez, Neymar (MSN):
  • “Already, also bad passes are good passes… this attack, I think European football will never have again.” (09:40)
  • Regret at not winning more: “Normally, it could be much more. It’s a bit of shame for us we didn’t get even more titles.” (09:46)
  • Reflects on what could have been:
    • “Maybe we get a bit… bored of winning or don't be hungry at 100%. It's hard to say only one Champions League in six years, but it could be two or three quite easily, you know...” (11:07)

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Leadership and Legends

• Lionel Messi:
  • Describes Messi as a “game changer” and the ultimate silent leader.
  • "He’s the guy who’s able to understand football by another way." (12:07)
  • “One small gesture of Leo, it means a lot for all of us.” (13:22)
• Luka Modrić:
  • Telepathic understanding, especially evident in the 2018 World Cup:
    • “Less is more. We don’t have to speak… It was crazy to play against England, Spain, or Italy or whatever and say, yeah, but here, we are better, you know…” (14:25)
  • “We are still a country with close to 4 million people and we have maybe one of the best midfielders in the history of football.” (14:32)

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The Drama of El Clásico & European Glory

• El Clásico Memories:
  • Favorite: “The moment when I scored the goal in Bernabeu for the winning goal. I think we won 1-0… just to decide Clásico, I think it’s not bad.” (17:33)
  • The intensity: “We try to say every game is important… but Clásico is not the same. The whole world is behind that game.” (18:12)
  • Fine margins and impact: “It’s the big game. It’s more than only three points because… you can win a lot, but also you can lose a lot.” (18:46)
• Barcelona Domination:
  • On winning two Clásicos in four days: “Maybe the best” week of his career. (19:46)
  • Advice to current players: “Enjoy it, because the time passes so fast.” (20:42)
• Scoring in the Champions League Final (2015):
  • “When you try to hug the whole world in a moment, this second was this moment, this fourth minute in Berlin at that time… just to be proud of my career.” (21:16, 21:24)
  • The enduring pride: “These moments are for the whole life. So it’s only 10 years ago, but we will speak about that in 10 years, in 15 and 20 again.” (21:13)

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New Generations and Football’s Evolution

• Current Barcelona Side under Hansi Flick:
  • “This amazing mix between German football and Barca Tiki Taka… they get really fast, this Hansi mentality… but still have this Spanish flair.” (21:50)
  • Young talents like Pedri and Lamine Yamal:
    • “I think [Pedri] is now the guy in the midfield in Europe. He’s the guy to beat.” (23:06)
  • The secret of La Masia:
    • “All these guys, they already trained in the same way, so the mentality was already clear… they already knew it, it was nothing new for them… so already they are ready. Mentally, they are ready.” (23:50)
• Advice for New Talents:
  • On Lamine Yamal: “He has to be Lamine. We don’t have to try to change Lamine to bring him the mentality of Puyol, of Sergio Busquets or Xavi… I think this is important.” (24:57)
• Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso:
  • Praises Xabi Alonso’s impact and smooth transition for young players. “Totally a different coach than Ancelotti was, but not better or weaker, just different… he’s doing amazing and hopefully that he can go on.” (26:14)

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Life After Playing

• Post-retirement Focus:
  • Technical director at Hajduk Split, learning from former Barcelona player Goran Muciwic, studying sports management with UEFA. “Just to get the new steps a little bit on the other way… enjoying football on the other stage.” (27:15)
  • Missing football? “At the moment? I'm quite easy, playing a lot of padel... When I'm in the training session of my team, I don't feel that I want to go in. I enjoy to be now outside.” (27:52)
• On Returning to Spain:
  • Spain is still “my second home or my first home.” (28:44)
• Why He Returned to Sevilla:
  • “Because Sevilla is my heart, Sevilla is my club, Sevilla is my city, Sevilla is part of my family… the decision of a heart is more important than of the head.” (29:12, 29:40)

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Final Reflections

• Advice to His Younger Self:
  • “It was the best decision… there are not right or wrong decisions. Every player has to take his own decisions… try to enjoy the moment. This is the most important part.” (30:22)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:36 | Ivan Rakitić | “Just cafe con leche.” (on his first words to his future wife) | | 05:59 | Ivan Rakitić | “To explain the history of Barcelona in words, it’s impossible.” | | 09:40 | Ivan Rakitić | “This attack, I think European football will never have again.” | | 11:07 | Ivan Rakitić | “Maybe we get a bit… bored of winning or don't be hungry at 100%.”| | 12:07 | Ivan Rakitić | “[Messi] is the guy who’s able to understand football by another way.” | | 13:22 | Ivan Rakitić | “One small gesture of Leo, it means a lot for all of us.” | | 14:25 | Ivan Rakitić | “Less is more. We don’t have to speak [with Luka Modrić]…” | | 17:33 | Ivan Rakitić | “I scored the goal in Bernabeu for the winning goal… just to decide Clásico, I think it’s not bad.” | | 21:24 | Ivan Rakitić | “When you try to hug the whole world in a moment… this second was this moment, this fourth minute in Berlin…” | | 23:06 | Ivan Rakitić | “[Pedri] is now the guy in the midfield in Europe. He’s the guy to beat.” | | 24:57 | Ivan Rakitić | “He has to be Lamine. We don’t have to try to change Lamine…” | | 29:40 | Ivan Rakitić | “The decision of a heart is more important than of the head.” | | 30:22 | Ivan Rakitić | “It was the best decision… Try to enjoy the moment.” |

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Return to Spain & Sevilla story: 03:33–05:49
• First season at Barcelona & Treble: 05:49–07:39
• Playing with Xavi, Iniesta, MSN: 07:39–10:16
• Feelings about titles & regrets: 10:16–11:45
• Lionel Messi as leader: 11:45–13:19
• Luka Modrić partnership: 14:10–15:50
• El Clásico emotions & moments: 17:23–20:42
• Scoring in UCL final: 20:42–21:45
• Current Barça under Flick, Pedri, La Masia: 21:45–24:49
• Advice to new generation: 24:49–26:07
• On Xabi Alonso at Madrid: 26:07–27:09
• Post-playing career: 27:11–29:06
• Sevilla connection & life views: 29:06–29:49
• Final advice to younger self: 30:11–30:56

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Tone and Style

The conversation is warm, reflective, and honest—peppered with nostalgia, humor, and genuine insight. Rakitić’s humility and appreciation for his experiences come through, with a recurrent theme: savoring the moments, learning from both triumphs and missed chances, and valuing the bonds and memories football brings.

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Transcript

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Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football. I'm Gary Lineker, but on today's episode we've got something a little bit different, a little bit special. Alex Aljo, who co hosts the Rest Is Football La Liga with me has been out in Madrid and has. Has done an at length interview with Ivan Rakitic, formally of course of Barcelona. So that is going to be our episode for today. I hope you enjoy it. Here it is.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Hello and welcome to the rest is football La Liga, I'm delighted to say. We're joined by Ivan Rakitic here in Madrid on a beautiful rooftop in this incredible city. Ivan, thank you so much for joining us. How does it feel to be back here in Spain where you spent many happy years?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Amazing, amazing. Thanks. Of course, first of all, to be here with you, I think it's just amazing. Nice weather, I think everything ready for a joy and amazing game tomorrow.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

How do you reflect on your time here in Spain?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Amazing. A lot of emotion. It's by the way my home. So always really happy to be here, to meet old friends, to speak about.

Old games, you know. So really happy to be here and hope to enjoy. Like all football fans.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

When you first came to Spain, what was it like? Settling, adapting in Sevilla was not easy.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Also now many years ago, but yeah, finally I think there are many things that are similar than in Croatia. So the people are really open, really happy. So it was quite easy to get in the right mood in Sevilla. That's why I think it went how it went for me. So yeah, really proud to be part of this Sevilla and Spanish family, to say so I think everything well, really done for me.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

You speak of your Spanish family. Now we want to know the story. Is it true that you met your wife in the hotel where you were staying when you moved to Sevilla?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Yeah, it was the first night. It was the first night. First night, yeah. She was working in the hotel. So I get a bit nervous and I went for a drink with my brother. He was with me there. So I just met her and then I had to work a lot. It's a long story. I think we will need a bit more time. But really a nice Hollywood story for me.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Love at first sight.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Yeah, it was quite short and quite easy for me.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

You kept going back to the hotel ordering more coffees, is that right?

[Ivan Rakitic]

We had to drink during seven months. A lot of coffee. A lot of coffees. I learned a lot of Spanish, different words, so I had to work a lot. It was not easy. But for the important and big things, you have to work.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

What's the first thing you said to her in Spanish? Do you remember?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Just cafe con leche.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

And you now live with her in Croatia with your two little girls?

[Ivan Rakitic]

14 years together. Yes, 14 years together. Two amazing daughters. So it went all perfect for me.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

When you arrived in Barcelona from Sevilla back in 2014, it was a club with massive expectations. What was it like like for you? Adapting and dealing with that pressure?

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think just to explain the men's history of Barcelona, I think in words, it's impossible. I think you can just understand it when you're really there. You have to be part of this amazing club just to understand how big it really is. Of course, I think for many players it's a dream to be there. And for me, what's really clear.

I just want to be in this dressing room with these amazing players and try to give them, even if it's like this, something from my part, you know, but I think really from outside, you can't really understand what does it mean to be part of this Barca family.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

What a first season it was for you as well. Winning, historic treble. Do you remember the moment, the point in the season when he thought, wow, yeah, this squad is something very special.

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think it was really important for us that we went better and better. So I think we had in December and January some hard moments. Finally we finished with this season in that way. Maybe in January was a bit impossible, but sometimes it's the best part of football. Everything can really quickly change. And yeah, you have to be ready. It went so fast and I think after these first games, first games in January, we really could understand that. It can be really an amazing season. And I think also we did the perfect Champions League in this year. Winning the German champion, Italian champion, French champion.

Man City, the winner of the English Premier League. So I think it was something really done for us to be at top. And I think it was a season.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

To remember what a midfield it was as well that season. Not bad, not bad. You Xavi Iniesta, what was your connection like with those players? Players? What was it like playing with them?

[Ivan Rakitic]

It was just easy to understand. I think.

You try to be part of this amazing team with these guys and it's not only about learning on the pitch. I think for me, finally only one season with Xavi, but it's learning 24 7. So all how he prepared the pre game, post game.

All what he's really doing. So I think it was really an amazing season year with him and also the long stay with Andres or with Busquets, I think we created something really amazing. It was blind understanding and I think finally really important for the team.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Luis Enrique, the manager, how much did you learn from him and how does he compare to Other managers you've worked under.

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think finally, of course the players are really important, but the coaches too. So Luis Enrique was really important for us. And I think finally also the success he has today with psg, it's not a surprise for me. I think it's a coach that he really needs time just to get the understanding of his players. Once he get this, I think it's working amazing. I think these three years of him was. Yeah, continue learning. I think an amazing process we did together. I would like to have more. More years or more time with him, but he decided to move. But I think, yeah, it's just to enjoy. It's to enjoy to learn finally. We players, you think that you really know everything, but you don't. So it's amazing to be. To be by side with these coaches and I think they are really important for football today.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Playing in the midfield behind Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

[Ivan Rakitic]

What a trio that was just enjoying so already. Also bad passes are good passes. And now I think this, this attack, I think the European football will never have again. I think there are big players, of course, and players that can do the difference. But I think with this attack, yeah, I think it was something really special. And that's why I like to say it again, that we won a lot, but normally it could be much more. And this is a bit of shame for us that we didn't get even more titles.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

What do you think was possible? What could you have achieved?

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think first of all, we had to do everything to push Neymar to stay with us. This is the first step. And then finally just get in every game at 100%. I think at the highest level, if you just grow down a little bit, you're in big problems. And we just saw this, that normally even the teams, they, they are able to. To win against Barca, they get surprised because they didn't expect that. But I think it was our fault. Not of the coaches, not of the. The presidents or of the fans. It was just our fault of the players and this now looking back a little bit, I think it could be much better for us. But this is also the nice part of football.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

So even though you won so much, you won it all. Do you look back sometimes with regret? Maybe the wrong word. But what could have been?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Maybe we get a bit, I think just to hopefully explain it well, a bit bored of winning or don't be hungry at 100%. I think finally finishing these six years in Barcelona, it's hard to say only one Champions League, but I think it could be two or three quite easily, you know, so we were there, but finally, if you're not pushing it 100%, the other teams, they deserve it. So I think this is a bit. Or this was a bit our problem, but now it's too late. So we have to push now the new generation to learn from our mistakes.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

We'll speak about the new generation in just a moment. But you played over 300 games with Lionel Messi. We see him as such a leader now. Was he always that leader on the pitch and in the dressing room?

[Ivan Rakitic]

First of all, I think I want to congratulate Leo for his new contract. I think this is amazing, just for football. I think it's not about if you are a fan of Leo Messi or Inter Miami. I think it's just amazing to enjoy more years. Leo. So congrats David Beckham and all people in Miami. This is just amazing. And then, yeah, I think finally, of course, my idea was signing for Barcelona, but of course, playing with Leo Messi, it's how it is. I think he's the guy. He's a game changer. He's the guy who's able to understand football by another way. And I think also now what he's doing in the mls, I think, yeah, maybe not the biggest league, but he's able to do it really big or different, you know. So I think this is only one guy in this world. And yeah, more than 300 games with Leo, it's just amazing. I just have to say thanks also to him, how he treated me all these years together. And I can't say that we are big friends because I'm not texting him every day. Some whatsapps. But of course my respect to him is amazing. And I just want to say thank you for all this time we had.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Together off the pitch. What. What was he like?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Leo, of course, I think he's a. He's a silent leader. He's not the leader. Maybe as Xavi was, to push, to speak, to go, you know, to be the first. I think he's just. Yeah, you can just see in his eyes that he's ready, you know, And I think I just told this many times to him, one small gesture of Leo, it means a lot for all of us, you know, he just won like this, you know, and these are the guys, they can do the difference. And I think we can see it now in Miami, how it was able to bring Inter Miami from the last position to the first position, in a way, how they Are how they are doing now. So this is just real Messi.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Incredible that he's still going as is a good friend of yours, Luka Modric, not here in Madrid anymore, but out in Milan. How would you describe your connection with him? I read somewhere you said you didn't even have to look up when you're playing with him. Telepathic.

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think it was like this and I think we showed this in an amazing way. 2018 in Russia. I think sometimes, yeah, I think we people in Croatia, we are still. We don't understand first of all what we have with Luka Modric, because we are still a counter with close to 4 million people and we have maybe one of the best midfielders in the history of football. And then I think during six years we had two guys in. In the biggest game in the world, the classical. So it was amazing. I think the understanding with Luca starts for me, I think maybe 15, 16 years ago when we started together in the national team, you know, And I think, yeah, sometimes less is more. So we don't have to speak. We know. I know that he will be on the left side next to me or in front of or whatever. I think playing against this biggest national teams, we had a better midfield. It was like this. It was crazy, you know, to play against England, Spain or Italy or whatever and say, yeah, but here we are better, you know, and to enjoy the Fluka still today, now in Milan. Yeah, it's just crazy. And I just want to say to all these guys in Milan that they have to approach this amazing opportunity because Luca is only one in the football world.

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[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

You mentioned the Classico. You had some incredible moments in the Classico over the years. If you could pick just one moment, what would it be? And why is that impossible?

[Ivan Rakitic]

It's a hard one because there was really many, many things. For me, personally, I think it was a moment when we scored, when I scored the goal in Bernabeu for the winning goal. I think we won 1 0. This goal was really important for us. And just to decide Classico, I think it's not bad, but I think that was really a lot of amazing moments for me in the Classic because it's. It's the game we all want to play. We all want to be part of it. And, yeah.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

What was it like walking out onto the pitch for a Classico? Was it a different feeling?

[Ivan Rakitic]

It is. It is. That's what we.

[Podcast Host Gary Lineker]

We.

[Ivan Rakitic]

We play. We try to say that every game is important. Every game is the same, every game is three points. But Classico is not the same. It's how it is. The whole world is behind that game. All of us, we try to be part of it. And yeah, we know that it's different. So as a professional, you try to prepare for every game the same way, but you know when it's the week of the Classico, so this last small details are a bit different, are a bit more important. If you can go to bed maybe at 10, not at 11, you will try to go at 10.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Fine margins.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Yeah, all these fine details. And yeah, it's the big game. I think it's more than only three points because you know that you can win a lot, but also you can lose a lot. So many times these games when you are. When you win. So you get in a good atmosphere, in a winning mood, but also, you know, the other part. So it's maybe a hard game and you maybe lose. Then you know, the next weeks will be a bit harder, maybe, you know. So I think it's an important moment for both teams, especially now in this season, and.

I think we can enjoy tomorrow an amazing game because they're the best players, amazing strikers. So hopefully to see a game with many, many goals.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

I was working for Real Madrid when your Barcelona side beat Real Madrid twice in four days. And it was a terrible week for all of us. But what a week it was for you.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Maybe the best.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Exactly.

[Ivan Rakitic]

That's why I think it's many, many things to win, but also many things to lose. So that's why it's not a normal game. But the best part of football is that every three, four games you have a new opportunity. Even if you lost twice in four days, then waiting some days, it was again a new opportunity. But yeah, you know, for Classico is it's something special. This is different. The whole world wants to be of it and we have it at home. We have it here with us. You know, the best game, the best players. And yeah, it's just a moment to enjoy. I think with all this pressure, the pressure is there. So anyway, you know that you have to work with it, you know, so try to enjoy. I just can say this to the guys. Enjoy it because the time passed so fast and now I'm here and I will enjoy it on the stands, not on the pitch, you know. So it's just a big, big moment to enjoy football.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

It must have been an incredible feeling scoring El Clasco. But what about the feeling of scoring in a Champions League final? The opener, four minutes in.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Not bad too.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Not bad.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Not bad at all. No, it's. Yeah, I'm really proud of what I could do during my career. These moments are finally special because these are moments for the whole life. So it's only 10 years ago, but we will speak about that in 10 years, in 15 and 20 again.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Does it feel like 10 years ago? Does it feel like yesterday?

[Ivan Rakitic]

I just heard it some days ago. Some friends that told me, you know, that it already ten years ago. Yeah.

Yeah. That's why time flies. Time flies so fast. Yeah. An amazing moment was. It was for me, you know, And I think when you try to hug the whole world in a moment, this second was this moment, this fourth minute in Berlin at that time. So, yeah, amazing moments. And yeah, just to be proud of my career.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

What about this current Barcelona team then? What do you love about Hansi Flick's side?

[Ivan Rakitic]

First of all, this amazing mix between German football and Barca Tiki Taka a little bit, you know. So I think they get really fast, this Hansi mentality where everything have to be on the right place in the right moment, but still to have this Spanish flair a little bit, you know. So let's dance with Lamine. But let's be also serious, like maybe Pedri or Frankie De Jong, you know. So I think this mix is really important. And finally it's. It's all. All details are really important, you know, so they can also feel now that maybe some small details they didn't. Did really, really well. Then some injuries, then you start to have these small, small problems. You know, where last season was everything perfect, it was everything good until this game against Inter Milan. But yeah, the nice part of football is that these young players, they get stronger and stronger. It's crazy to say there are some guys like Petty that he have already, I don't know, 200, 300 games at the highest level, and he's still very young, you know.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

How highly do you rate Pedri?

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think he's now the guy in the. In the midfield in Europe. I think he's the guy to beat. I think we know how important he is not only for Barca, also for the Spanish national team, but I think the best part is to listen to his teammates. So we experts, we can. We can speak a lot, but these guys from inside, when they. When you listen to them, how they speak about Pedri, how important he is, and this is where this guy can do the difference. And of course, many things will depend also from him, not only tomorrow, but also what Barca can do this season.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

So many of the current squad came through Le Masia. What is it about Le Masia? What's in the water there, do you know? What did they tell you about something.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Of magic it's happening there? I think the best sport for me was really clear when I was there that all these guys, they already trained in the same way, so the mentality was already clear. The guys with 10, 11, 12 years, they know what they really have to do to get to be part of the first team. So we had a lot of times young players coming up to have some sessions with us. All what we did in the trainings, they already knew it. It was nothing new for them, you know, of course it's a different level to be in the second team than in the first team, but yeah, it was all done, so we don't have to explain them the exercises or the movements or whatever. So already they are ready. Mentally, they are ready. So they just have to push. And I think this is the most important part, the concept, the way, how they prepare these young guys. And this is, I think, the most important part of Masia.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Mentally ready, but still so, so young. If we take Lamina Mal as an example, what's the best bit of advice you could give a player like him?

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think that he's an amazing dancer. So.

I think for this new generation, of course they are different than I say on the mental part, than Xavi Iniesta, Leo on this part. You know, the old generation coming out from Masia now, I think they have to enjoy. They have to be on that way. We don't have to try to change Lamin to bring him the mentality of Puyol, of Sergio Busquets or Xavi. No, he has to be Lamin. I think he needs these moments and I think this is the best part, that this new generation have to understand it. I think finally when he gets on his boots, he know what he has to do. So I think this is important in this small details now with the interviews. This is part of the game. So this is everything to do the show even bigger to enjoy it. We know how important are now this small details as we spoke before. And yeah, he just have to enjoy. I think this is the most important part. The pressure is there. Only they know that he have to be tomorrow at the highest level. And hopefully to see more dances also from Lamin in Madrid.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

So much talent in the Barcelona squad, but so much talent in the Real Madrid squad as well. What have you made of the job that Xabi Alonso has done there so far?

[Ivan Rakitic]

I think amazing. I think amazing. I think he's doing the same way when Xavi get the coach of Barcelona, he get the possibilities for these young guys in Barcelona. And now the same thing is doing Xabi here in Madrid. I think a lot of talent, amazing young players getting really fast. His idea, I think totally a different coach than Ancelotti was, but not better or weaker, just different. And sometimes these changes are not so easy for players. But these big players, they are strong, they are intelligent, they know what they have to do. Sometimes it gets a little bit time, but I think it's also quite easy if.

Xavi take you by side and try to explain you something. I think it's quite easy and important to learn and to listen. And I think he's doing amazing and hopefully that he can go on.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Who's winning the league for me?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Barcelona.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

What about for you now? Now your boots are hung up.

[Ivan Rakitic]

What's next for you now? Just enjoying football from another way. I'm now the technical director of Hayduk Split, trying to learn a lot of my sports director. He's also ex Barca player Goran Muciwic. And just to learn a little bit, prepare the next steps, the career after the career. I also start the sports management with the UEFA. And yeah, Just to get the new steps a little bit on the other way. Working a lot also with La Liga. Enjoying. Enjoying football on the other stage.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

How much do you miss it?

[Ivan Rakitic]

At the moment? I'm quite easy playing a lot of Padel.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Yes, we all are. We love Padel.

[Ivan Rakitic]

A lot of Padel. Just getting the Croatian league in. Padel. Are you good? I don't know if I'm good, but I try to enjoy.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Because I don't like to go to the gym to run, so I have to do something different. And yeah, at the moment, when I'm in the training session of my team, of Hajduk, I don't feel that I want to go in. I enjoy to be now outside. And I think it's also important for me or for my head to say so my part as a player is done. I'm now on the other part. I try to help a lot. We have amazing young players in. In Haidu, so just try to push them to give a hand and hopefully to get big players also in Croatia.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Would you ever come back to Spain and. And live here again?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Hopefully, hopefully. As you know, Spain is my second home or my first home. It depends. It also depends on my family. I spoke to my wife, Raquel. So now, first of all, we decide to stay in Croatia and Split, but you never know. Also, it depends what I will do in the future, if there will be some opportunity to work in the Spanish football and then maybe we will be back in Spain again.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Why did you decide to go back to Sevilla when you returned to the club? For all these reasons, quite easy.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Because Sevilla is my heart, Sevilla is my club, Sevilla is my city, Sevilla is part of my family. Not only that, my wife is born in Sevilla. This is where we call it home, you know. So it was quite easy and.

Direct decision. I think finally we have. Sometimes.

The decision of a heart is more important than of the head. And this was just a decision of my heart. And that's why I love Sevilla in Spain.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

And do you have similar feelings for Barcelona?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Of course. It's of course a different way. I think what I get in Spain, completely something really special for me. And of course Barcelona and Sevilla, but also I love Madrid, I love Spain just to be here. It's amazing for me and I'm really thankful how I get treated from the first day on.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

My final question for you, if you could go back in time and say something to that young boy that walked into the hotel in Sevilla, maybe some advice or something about what's to come. What would you say?

[Ivan Rakitic]

Just. It was the best decision.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

You're doing the right thing.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Yeah. I think that finally they are not. Not a right or wrong decision. I think that every player has to take his own decisions. Football, everything goes really fast. So I think you have to try to enjoy the moment. This is the most important part for us players is to push to work and to try to get at the right place at the right time. And for me, it was really easily Sebi.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Enjoy the moment.

[Ivan Rakitic]

That's it.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure. Lovely to meet you and good luck with the future.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Thank you so much.

[Interviewer Alex Aljo]

And congratulations on an incredible career.

[Ivan Rakitic]

Thanks a lot. Thank you.