Ivan Rakitic backed Barcelona starlet Alen Halilovic to become one of the world’s best but warns he has a long way to go yet, and talked UEFA Super Cup.
Halilovic is with the Barca first team in the United States but it has been suggested he could spend next season on loan, with Sevilla a possible destination.
“The situation is complicated for him. He’s very young and has the chance to be one of the best in the world,” Rakitic said, AS reports.
“He needs to grow in every way, but he’s with us. I see how he trains. We’ll see what happens in the future, since he will talk to the club.”
Sevilla will be Barca’s opponents in the UEFA Super Cup in late August, a fixture Rakitic sees as a difficult one so early in the season.
“They’re the worst opponent we could have to officially start the campaign. They’ve reinforced very well,” he said of his former club.
“They’ve taken a step forward. It will be difficult but come the time we have to be prepared. It will be very complicated and there is total respect.
“I’m a Barca player and I want to bring the trophy here. We’ll have to play a perfect game.”
