da esport bet： An instantly recognisable name in world football, Ivan Rakitic features week in and week out for serial trophy winners Barcelona. Since joining in the summer of 2014, he has won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and the Champions League in 2015, scoring the opening goal in their 3-1 win over Juventus.
da gbg bet： But is he overshadowed regularly by the formidable strike force of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and by Andres Iniesta who is seemingly getting better and better the older he gets? Undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world, does the Croatian get as much attention as his excellent performances deserve?
Born in Mohlin, Switzerland to Croat parents, Rakitic, 28, is one of many names that have come through the FC Basel academy, making his professional debut in 2005. He won Young Player and Goal of the Year in the 2006-2007 Swiss Super League season earning him a move abroad to Schalke 04 in Germany for €5m. Scoring seven minutes into his Bundesliga debut, everybody was starting to take note about a possible star in the making.
He made Croatia’s 23-man squad for EURO 2008, and at just 20, was key to their run to the quarter-finals, which ended in dramatic fashion as they conceded a 121st minute equaliser to Turkey after taking the lead on 119 minutes, before going on to lose on penalties. Rakitic missed, as only Darijo Srna converted from their four spot kicks.
After an injury-stricken few years, he moved to Sevilla in 2010, for a mere €2.5m. He came into his own during the 2012-13 season when he was deployed in a more attacking role – only three players created more chances than Rakitic over the season in the ‘Top 5 Leagues’.
He continued to catch the eye of scouts all over Europe the following season. Unai Emery appointed him captain as he missed just four games all season, leading them to Europa League success, as he also clocked 15 goals and 17 assists in all competitions. Named in both Europa League and La Liga Teams of the Season, Barcelona swooped in and signed Rakitic on a five-year-deal.
He had monumentally big shoes to fill, those of the soon-departing Xavi. But Rakitic was up for the challenge, he was instrumental in Barcelona’s treble winning season, named in La Liga’s Team of the Season once again, and awarded Man of the Match in the Champions League final win. Able to control a game and pick off a seemingly improbable passes, his reputation only increased.
It was an up and down season however for Rakitic in the last year, Luis Enrique often taking him off around the 60-65 minute mark every game, regardless of the circumstances. He made more appearances than anybody in a Barcelona shirt last season, 57 in total, but very rarely played 90 minutes.
Is he unfairly being cast aside so Iniesta, Messi, Suarez and Neymar can take the plaudits? An unsung hero if there ever was one, Rakitic is always calm and professional, and never spits his dummy out when taken off, something not often associated with big-name players, and many would hope he is given more credit for the job he does.
He has flourished replacing Xavi in the midfield trio at Barca, but his impact on the team is never really focused upon. He was brought in during a difficult, trophy-less spell for Barcelona, and in the two years since he moved from Sevilla, the Spanish champions have won seven major honours. The headlines and worldwide praise often go to the aforementioned big names at Barcelona, but it would be good to see this midfield maestro given equal credit for Barca’s incredible recent success.
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