Ivan Rakitic has praised the work of Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique after a successful first season at the club for the pair.
Rakitic a year ago moved from Sevilla, while Enrique was hired from Celta Vigo, and the campaign ended with the midfielder scoring in the Champions League final and the Coach signing a new contract after guiding Barca to the treble.
“It’s not easy to be the Barca Coach and the work Enrique and his staff are doing is impressive,” Rakitic is quoted as saying by Marca in an appearance on Onda Cero.
“Barca is the biggest club in the world. There’s nothing above Barca. My friends ask me and I tell them it is amazing. You can’t explain it.”
Rakitic was also asked about the stramash involving Gerard Pique, who joked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday party as he celebrated Barca’s success.
Some have accused Pique of being disrespectful to Real Madrid but Rakitic doesn’t see it that way.
“It was a moment of great emotion, without malice. Pique is a teammate of Madrid players in the national team and he fights 100% with them,” the Croatia international noted.
“There’s a rivalry between Barca and Madrid and that’s normal. That makes it good. The important thing is to fight for your team, improve and grow, and eventually you enjoy football fans.”
Rakitic moved on to two discuss a Barca teammate and now ex-Barca teammate, Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez, before concluding with a reflection on his time at Sevilla.
“I don’t think we’ll ever see anyone like Leo,” Rakitic said of the Argentine.
“If it’s necessary to run 10,000m for him and hurt your back, it’s worth it.
“It’s been a pleasure [playing with Xavi]. I’m proud to have shared a locker room with him. There’s no need to explain what Xavi is to us.
“I learned a lot and I thank him for what he means on and off the pitch.
“Sevilla? I was the first foreign captain since Diego Maradona…I can never repay them for all they gave to me.”
