"He could be the best left-back in the world if he wanted to" - Ex-Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic hails Lionel Messi, calls him 'the best in history'

Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has hailed club legend Lionel Messi as the "best in history".

Rakitic opted for a move to Barcelona in 2014, leaving Sevilla to join the Catalan giants. He enjoyed an impressive career at the Camp Nou, playing alongside Messi across six seasons. While the Croatian midfielder eventually decided on a return to Sevilla, his Argentine counterpart left Spain entirely for Paris Saint-Germain.

Both players' paths have continued to diverge, with Rakitic now in Saudi Arabia playing for Al-Shabab, and Lionel Messi in the US playing for Inter Miami. However, the legendary Argentine playmaker remains the best player Rakitic has ever seen. The former Barcelona midfielder made it clear in a conversation with Micspod (via Abola):

"Leo Messi is the best in history and, if that were his purpose, he could be the best left-back in the world if he wanted to. But he wasn't the best captain to tell you what you had to do, because he was unique, different."

He continued (via Tribal Football):

"I don't have to explain to Messi how to play. I have to know where to put myself in attack so that I have a more advantageous situation. He doesn't have to defend, that's my job."

Rakitic finished, explaining how Barcelona failed to win continentally, even with Lionel Messi in the team:

"We lost the Champions in 2018 and 2019 ourselves. Of course the rivals deserved it, but I think we didn't try hard enough. We may have gotten tired of winning. When you earn so much, you lose focus and don't pay attention to detail, and then they kill you."

Rakitic shared the pitch 277 times with Lionel Messi, combining for 27 goals.

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Lionel Messi and Joan Laporta pay tribute to former Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova

After battling with cancer, Tito Vilanova passed on at the age of 45 on April 25, 2014. The former manager had spent just one year at the helm of the Catalan giants, leading them to an impressive season (2012-13) where they scored 121 league goals.

Joan Laporta paid tribute to Vilanova at a recent press conference in Barcelona, saying (via BarcaCentre):

"Tito Vilanova is always in our memories. Tito, we remember you greatly for everything you've done for the club, and as a person as well."

Lionel Messi, who has now moved to Inter Miami, left a message on Instagram (via BarcaCentre):

"10 years already, we haven't forgotten you Tito"

Tito Vilanova notably guided Barca to the La Liga title before resigning from his position due to cancer complications in July 2013.