Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who spent six seasons with the Spanish club and won 13 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League, weighed in on the eternal debate over who deserves the title of the greatest soccer player of all time. His remarks come in the same week that the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) crowned Lionel Messi as the greatest in their rankings.
Unsurprisingly, Rakitic’s pick aligns with the consensus of many, as he has always spoken proudly about his time playing alongside the Argentine legend. “By now, we all know—or if not all, then 99 percent of us—that he’s the greatest of all time. It’s a privilege for me to have shared so many matches and years with him,” Rakitic told Bolavip in an event organized by LaLiga.
Rakitic also expressed his hope that Messi’s career continues for as long as possible. “Leo is in a league of his own, and that’s how we need to view him. We should be grateful to have witnessed his era. I hope he keeps playing for a few more years, extending his career with both his club and the national team, so we can keep enjoying him,” he added.
Rakitic on Messi and Lamine Yamal
Switching gears, Rakitic also touched on the rising Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, urging fans and media to avoid burdening the young talent with comparisons to Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Lionel Messi during his early days with Barcelona and Lamine Yamal during a UEFA Champions League match. (Luis Bagu/ Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“He’s already said it himself, and we need to be clear about this: there’s no need to compare him to anyone, especially not Leo [Messi],” Rakitic emphasized. “I think we need to leave Lamine alone and let him focus on his path and story. Let’s just enjoy watching him perform on the field”.
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Rakitic further noted that the pressure of being labeled “the next Messi” wouldn’t help Yamal’s development as a player. “It’s obvious Lamine is eager to learn and grow, and our job is to support him without placing unnecessary expectations. Let him dance on the field and celebrate every title in his own way,” he said.
Rakitic and Messi’s partnership at Barcelona
During his six seasons with Barcelona, Rakitic played 310 matches, recording 36 goals and 42 assists while collecting an impressive haul of 13 trophies: four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey trophies, two Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Alongside Messi, Rakitic appeared in 277 matches. In that span, Messi scored 19 goals assisted by the Croatian, while Rakitic himself netted eight times thanks to Messi’s passing brilliance.
