Ivan Rakitic has thanked Barcelona’s former sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta for ensuring he was part of the side’s Champions League triumph on Saturday.
The midfielder was brought to Camp Nou in a €20m transfer from Sevilla by Zubi, who left in January following FIFA’s decision to impose a transfer embargo on the club, and scored the opening goal in Berlin as La Blaugrana proceeded to lift their fifth European cup.
“It’s really unbelievable, I’m really happy, not only for me but all the team because they worked so hard the whole year and I think that with all [due] respect, we were the better team,” he told Sky Sports.
“The details were on our side and now we have to celebrate this title.
“[On whether Juve had the momentum after 1-1] it’s normal because it’s a final and Juventus were playing [for the trophy too], but we were the better, we had control.
“There were some questions [asked of us], but we [made it] easy, were clever and I think it was a good game.
“Thanks to [former sporting director Andoni] Zubizarreta, the club and everyone [else for signing me] because [this victory] is crazy and unbelievable.”