Old friends of the Barcelona team will remain in regular contact after Croatia return to Sevilla ahead of the current season
Sevilla star Ivan Rakitic has revealed that he has been ridiculed by former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi over the Europa League, telling the Argentine that he has “won a prize you will never get.”
Rakitic won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2013-14, his last season with the club before making the move to Barcelona.
Croatia spent six seasons at Camp Nou before returning to Sevilla ahead of the current campaign, where he has once again been a key player.
What was said?
“I was talking to Messi and I said, ‘You have achieved everything, you have achieved all these goals’, but I told him, I have won a prize that you will not get never, “Rakitic told LaLiga TV.
“You will never win the Europa League!”
Rakitic time at Barca
The Croatian international enjoyed six award-winning seasons at Camp Nou, appearing alongside Messi and Co.
During his time at Barca, Rakitic won 13 awards, including four La Liga titles, four Copas del Rey and a Champions League.
“Nothing was given to those boys,” Rakitic told his teammates in Barca. “It simply came to our notice then. It is no coincidence that these people have won it all.
“Every player had a part to play. They all did things the same way they did, but it’s always a win. We said in Berlin ahead of the Champions League final, ‘With a everyone together, no one will hit us. ‘ ”
Rakitic ready to battle Barca in Copa del Rey
Rakitic stopped against Barca last month in the first leg of the teams ’Copa del Rey semi-final, which the Andalusian side won 2-0.
On Wednesday, the teams will meet again at Camp Nou in the second leg, with Messi looking to encourage Barcelona to come back to take their place in the final.