Rakitic: We play for them

Posted Monday, August 03, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has rubbished suggestions playing alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar is easy.

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has rubbished suggestions playing alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar is easy.
Speaking in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, the Croatian star admitted the rest of the Barcelona squad is willing to play for the world-class trio because they have earned the right.
"They are on another level and we play for them because they have earned it, but that doesn't mean it's easy," he said.
"You have to get used to doing work on their behalf, and if I have to run 5,000 kilometres so that one of them can have his moment, that's fine by me."
"Yes, I do," responded the former Sevilla star when asked if he enjoyed playing alongside Messi, Suarez and Neymar. "Although a lot of people say that it's easy to play with them and that's rubbish.
"Every team would love to have Leo, but luckily we've got him and we're going to look after him. He does things that no one else can. And, if we can make him even better, then that's great."
The Catalans open their season with the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla and the Rakitic admits he'd have wanted his former club to win it if they weren't playing against Barcelona.
"There's a trophy up for grabs, I know where I am and I'm going to fight the utmost for Barcelona. I would have liked Sevilla to win it if we weren't in it, though."