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A Legendary Tribute for the GOAT
Having shared a dressing room during one of Camp Nou's most glittering eras, the mutual respect between Rakitic and Messi remains incredibly strong. Rakitic, now retired from football, insists that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's legacy demands universal recognition that extends well beyond Catalonia.
"Messi deserves a tribute in Barcelona, in Croatia, in Argentina, in Miami... He's the best in history," Rakitic said during a wide-ranging interview with Radio Marca. "You don't have to be a Barca or Inter Miami fan. If you love football, you love Leo. He's a guy who has changed the way we see and understand the game. I hope that he doesn't stop playing and continues for a few more years."
The Failed Camp Nou Homecoming
Rakitic's comments come amid lingering frustration over the failed attempt to bring Messi back to Catalonia in 2023 before his move to MLS side Inter Miami. While fans dreamed of a romantic return, former manager Xavi recently claimed that Joan Laporta blocked the deal despite receiving the green light from La Liga. This administrative collapse prevented what Rakitic and many others saw as the perfect final chapter for the club's greatest-ever player, who was initially forced to leave in 2021 due to Barcelona's dire financial situation.
High Praise for Luis Enrique
Rakitic, now director of football at Hajduk Split, also reserved special praise for Luis Enrique, the coach who led Barcelona to treble glory in 2014-15. He described the current Paris Saint-Germain boss as the finest coach in the game today and expressed disappointment that his tenure at Barcelona was not longer.
"The most important coach I have had has been Luis Enrique. It doesn't surprise me what he has achieved in Paris because if he can get the players to listen to him, he achieves results," Rakitic said. "It is a pity he didn't stay longer with us in Barcelona. He is the best coach in the world, and it's an incredible joy to watch PSG play."
Barcelona's Champions League Drought
Rakitic, who famously scored in the 2015 Champions League final against Juventus, reflected on why Barcelona has not replicated that European success in the decade since. "It saddens me that Barca has been waiting since 2015 to win the Champions League. I remain convinced that we could have won a couple more European titles, but we didn't because we didn't know how to maintain that hunger from the first season," he said.
His words carry particular weight as the current Barcelona squad continues to face European challenges. The team recently had to rely on a late Lamine Yamal penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against Newcastle in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
