Ivan Rakitic: Neymar's departure to PSG was a bad decision
The Croatian admits he was sad to see the Brazilian leave Barça
However, he still has the world's best player by his side at Camp Nou
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has given an interview to the BBC in which he spoke about Neymar's departure and playing with Lionel Messi.
Rakitic confessed that the loss of Neymar was difficult to accept: "For me personally, it was really hard, not only because he's one of the biggest players; also, for me, he's a big person.
"He was really important for our dressing room, and for me he's one of the best guys I know in football."
The Croatian international says the situation must be accepted, though: "For me it was really a bad decision because I liked to have him in my team.
"But We have to respect Neymar's decision to move. If a team can buy him and he decides to leave Barcelona, we have to respect it and [...] wish him the best [of] luck.
"Hopefully he can score a lot of goals and be happy in Paris, but we have to go on our way and be strong together without Neymar now."
PLAYING WITH MESSI
Rakitic also commented on playing with Messi: "You just have to do a lot of things for him, because he’s the best player in the world and maybe also in history. And you have to know that he’s different."
"It’s easy to be at home and watch and say yeh, I can play that, but if you are here, it’s a little bit different. Nobody told Leo you can do whatever you want, he has gone step by step to arrive at this level. And now he’s there and we have to know that we have to do special things for him. And then if he can receive with three of four players in front and not with 10, it’s easier for him."
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