Blaugrana’s fans won't like it. Ex-Barcelona star 'hats off' to Real Madrid president

Former Barcelona player Ivan Rakitić, who currently plays for Al-Shabab, shared his views on how the rivalry with Real Madrid has changed and praised the Madrid club.

"It's like when, as a young boy, you have a girlfriend and you don't pay her much attention, but you don't realize it until you lose her. Real Madrid have been able to do everything well, gradually, but Barcelona may have gone too fast. I'm convinced that Gavi and Pedri are going to be the future of the Barcelona and Spanish national teams, but I think that our help, as the old guys, would have been good for them.

Real Madrid? They have done the right things to have a solid team which can dominate for a few years. I speak with the utmost respect because they have been my rival for many, many years, but to see what Florentino Perez is achieving you have to tip your hat to him. They are getting what they want. There is a plan. Presidents don't always get it right, but he got it right in his decisions, with the players, with the stadium and with everything around him. He has to be congratulated.

Who will win LaLiga EA Sports? Real Madrid, there is no doubt." Rakitic said.

Rakitić played for Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, featuring in 200 matches for the Catalan team. Alongside the Blaugrana, the Croatian won the league title, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.