Lionel Messi
March 2026
Ivan Rakitic said Lionel Messi deserves a tribute in Barcelona and beyond, arguing that the forward’s influence reaches far outside club loyalties. The former Barcelona midfielder also said he hopes Messi keeps playing for a few more years at the highest level. Speaking in an interview, Rakitic praised Messi as the best in history and said anyone who loves football should appreciate him, regardless of club allegiance. His comments reflected both their long shared history at Barcelona and Messi’s lasting impact on how the game is viewed.