Rakitic praises Barca teammates

Ivan Rakitic is happy to see Xavi Hernandez staying at Barcelona and believes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are the best in the world.

Rakitic moved to Barca from Sevilla earlier in the summer at a time it appeared Xavi would be on his way out, but the playmaker has remained at Camp Nou.

Mundo Deportivo reports Rakitic as welcoming the prospect of playing with Xavi, who he feels will make him a better player.

“As a teammate it’s great news that Xavi is staying,” the Croatia international said.

“He’s a symbol of the club and it’s great to be with him. I’ve seen him very involved in every training session, with a will to win and do his best.

“All I can do is learn from him.”

Rakitic has been joined in Barcelona by Suarez, who will form a front three with Messi and Neymar once he is free from suspension.

“They are probably the best players in the world,” Rakitic said of his colleagues.

“We can learn a lot from them but the team isn’t only these three players. If they are better, the team will be better.”

Tags Ivan Rakitic Lionel Messi Luis Suarez Neymar Xavi Hernandez
La Liga - Club News