FC Barcelona legend Ivan Rakitic has praised the treble-winning side of the 2014-15 season, saying they represent the greatest team in football history. The Croatian midfielder joined La Blaugrana from Sevilla FC in 2014 for a fee of €18 million.
During his six seasons in Catalonia, Rakitic amassed an impressive collection of trophies, including the UEFA Champions League, four LaLiga titles, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, four Copas del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups.
Rakitic was a key part of the team that won the precious treble — a combination of LaLiga, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey — in the 2014-15 season, with their dominance put to the test forward by the unforgettable trio formed by Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Luis Suárez.
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Reflecting on this historic season during a recent interview with MARCA (as reported by Barca Universal), Rakitic said:
“In every period there are important teams and I think we won the Champions League because we were so superior; and then I think we were missing someone to ‘press’ us in order to obtain more. »
The Croatian also praised the influence of Xavi Hernandez, identifying him as a crucial part of the team’s remarkable successes that year.
“In that sense, it was important that Xavi stayed that year, but he left, and maybe that strong leadership character was missing in the dressing room. These details are important, because, in my opinion, it was the best team in history,” he remarked.
Since then, FC Barcelona has faced challenges in living up to the extraordinary standards set in the 2014-15 season, particularly following the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021.
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In the interview with MARCA, Rakitic was candid about the challenges of comparing La Masia’s current talents with the legendary Lionel Messi, often considered one of the greatest players of all time. Messi shone in 778 appearances for Barca, scoring an incredible 672 goals and providing 303 assists, making him the club’s all-time top scorer and assists player, with more goals than the next three combined.
In contrast, Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of football’s most promising prospects. At just 17 years old, he has already made 74 appearances for the senior team, contributing with 15 goals and 21 assists. Known for his exceptional ball control and knack for scoring in crucial moments, Yamal’s potential is immense.
When asked to compare Yamal to a young Messi, Rakitic first mentioned Ansu Fati, another La Masia talent who had previously been compared to the Argentine superstar before injuries disrupted his career.
“First of all, I’m a big fan of Ansu Fati and I’m really sorry for the injuries he suffered. I remember when he trained with us when he was just 16 — I told him, ‘This boy should always come.’ When I was at Sevilla and he went to Brighton, we tried to sign him. I hope he recovers,” he said.
Now focusing on Yamal, Rakitic commented:
“To answer your question, I didn’t know Lamine directly, but he brings joy, not only to us at Barca but to everyone who loves football. »
“Barca have had a world-class star for years. It is impressive to hear these observations from those who see him every day, noting how he trains and behaves,” Rakitic concluded.
Currently, Ivan Rakitic plays for Hajduk Split in Croatia, after leaving the Saudi club Al-Shabab in 2024.
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