Rakitic, returns the steering wheel that sat Xavi on the bench

Ivan Rakitic (10-3-1988) returns tonight for the first time at the Camp Nou since the public returned to the stadiums after the pandemic. He has earned a standing ovation. The Croatian made 310 appearances for Barça, in which he scored 35 goals and distributed 42 assists. Imposing professional, in the hearts of the fans for goals like the one he scored at the Bernabéu in the 0-1 in the League in the 2018-19 season (“the culé who is going to have a beer”, he said after stinging the ball for above Courtois), was part of the backbone of Barça’s second treble in the club’s history.

Rakitic assumed a very crude role at Barça. In the 2014-15 season, it can be said that he was the midfielder who put Xavi on the bench, who ended up leaving for Qatar at the end of that season. With a team that played much more stretched out with the Messi-Suárez-Neymar trident, Luis Enrique pulled the Croatian, who at that time showed exceptional physical display and played impressive seasons with the Asturian, but also in the double pivot that Valverde invented with Busquets after Neymar’s goodbye. With a privileged tactical sense and an angelic touch, Barcelona fans will recognize him today.

Rakitic is not just another foreigner in the history of Barça. The Croatian is in the Top-5 of foreigners with the most games, only behind the legend, Leo Messi (778), and footballers who have been everything in the institution such as Daniel Alves (400 and more). Mascherano and Ter Stegen are also ahead of Rakitic, who reached 310. He scored 35 goals and distributed 42 assists.