Modric wanted fellow Croatian Rakitic at Real Madrid

With the announcing of Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic as a Barcelona player looking just like a formality, fellow Croatia teammate Luka Modric has opened up and lamented that he won’t be joining him at Real Madrid.

Luka Modric said: “It’s clear that if it was me, I would have liked him to sign for Madrid, but in the end it wasn’t to be and he’s gone to Barca.”

“I’m delighted for him. He deserves it. When you go to a big club like Barça, which has a global following, it’s an important step in your career.

“Everyone has seen this season what he is able to do. He’s a great player who is progressing and I convinced he will be even better next season.”

The Real Madrid player also added that the Croatian national side will undoubtedly benefit from 26 year-old Rakitic’s role at a big club like Barcelona.

“Ivan is happy – he said – and for him to transfer to a big club like Barca also brings good things for Croatia,” he continued.

“I’m sure he will have a great World Cup and will be one of the top players in our team.

“When you’re a Barça player, everything you do has a higher dimension and that is what will happen now with Ivan at the World Cup.

“Sevilla is a great club that comes from winning a European trophy, but Barcelona even more so.”

Modric and Rakitic are likely to feature for Croatia in the World Cup’s opening game tomorrow, against the hosts Brazil.

Croatia are gearing up for Thursday’s opening World Cup game in which they play hosts Brazil with both Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic likely to be included in the starting lineup against Neymar’s Brazil.