In the January transfer window, Croatian star Ivan Rakitic became the latest high-profile addition to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Shabab after concluding his second spell with La Liga giants Sevilla. Despite previously reported hints, the midfielder might reunite with his former Barcelona teammates at Inter Miami in the MLS.
However, Rakitic chose to follow the path of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar Jr, opting for the Middle East as the next step in his club career. He ended his European stay, enjoying numerous trophies. Among these, he holds one particular title he believes even Lionel Messi will never attain.
Ivan Rakitic won a trophy Lionel Messi will never have
Ivan Rakitic’s transfer to Al-Shabab marked the end of his 13-year-long tenure in the Spanish top division, where he played for two of the biggest clubs, Sevilla and Barcelona, respectively, and had a starring role. Before arriving in Spain, he played for the German giants Schalke until 2011.
During his time with Sevilla, the 35-year-old revealed that he once joked with his former Barcelona colleague, Lionel Messi, about the Europa League trophy, a title Messi has never won despite his glorious career and has won virtually every other accolade.
“I was speaking to Messi and said, ‘You have won it all, have scored all these goals’, but I told him, I have won a trophy you’ll never have, You’ll never win the Europa League!” He revealed to LaLiga TV.
The Croatian international has won the UEFA Europa League trophy with Sevilla twice, securing his second title in this competition after a penalty shootout victory against AS Roma last year. Additionally, Rakitic has been acclaimed as one of the best midfielders and notably led Croatia to the FIFA 2018 World Cup finals.
How is the relationship between Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic?
The Switzerland-born midfielder began his career in the youth ranks of Swiss club Basel, eventually rising to their first team. From there, he went on to represent clubs across Europe, playing in over 800 matches, scoring 122 goals, and providing 135 assists. Rakitic has won every major title possible, wherever he has played.
The Croatian describes his relationship with Lionel Messi as strictly professional, although they shared a pitch but were never the closest friends in the Barcelona squad, as he stated to Sport.es
“My relationship with them was never one of the close friends. I believe that’s hard in a group of 23 or 24 players. My closest friends were Andres Iniesta, ter Stegen, Boateng, and Junior Firpo last season. But I respect them both.
“They were my teammates for six years and are very important players. I’ve always got on incredibly well and have the utmost respect for them.” He added.
During his six-year tenure in the Blaugrana colors at Camp Nou, he achieved remarkable success, securing four La Liga titles and Spanish Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. This impressive tally includes the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, a year that saw him as part of the famously treble-winning team.
