SETTABLOID

Barcelona’s midfield has had the honour of harbouring an array of talented players over the years.

But one that often slips under the radar is Ivan Rakitic, who contributed considerably in his 310 games for the Catalan giants.

The Croatian was recently inducted into Barcelona’s ‘Legends’ list, as he is recognized as one of the key architects behind the team’s successes during his tenure.

Now, Rakitic has opened up about several topics related to Barça on the ARLS podcast.

Playing with the best

Rakitic made an early impression under Luis Enrique by phasing out Xavi Hernandez from the starting XI in the 2014/2015 season.

The 36-year-old proved to be a versatile operator and offered a different profile to the options Barcelona already possessed, which allowed the team to strike a balance in midfield.

When I joined Barcelona, I knew that I would play with Iniesta, Xavi, and Busquets. I knew that I had to change my playing style,” Rakitic acknowledged.

While Barcelona’s midfield was no slouch, it was the team’s attack that often stole the spotlight.

Rakitic remarked that playing alongside the formidable trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Jr. was an incredible experience.

But he emphasized that their success was made possible by the stability provided by defensive and midfield support.

“Of course, I can say that I enjoyed playing with Messi, Neymar and Suarez. Hopefully, they say that they enjoyed playing with Rakitic too.

“They scored 100 goals per season, but they couldn’t have done it without the support at the back,” Rakitic stated.

How his signing came about

The Croatian midfielder admitted his signing transpired smoothly before the 2014 World Cup and was completed in a matter of just three days.

“Before the World Cup in Brazil, Barcelona contacted me. It was Zubizarreta who spoke to me, then Luis Enrique. We completed the signing in three days,” he claimed.

The high standards set at Barcelona

While Barcelona are yet to taste European success, fans fondly reminisce about the 2015 Champions League win. Rakitic confessed it was an iconic season.

“I think we had the best season in Champions League history. We beat the French, English, German, and then the Italian champions in the final,” he exclaimed.

He added that, in addition to winning, playing well was a crucial pre-requisite at Barcelona.

“In one of my first matches for Barcelona, we won 6-0 and I scored a goal. The first question in the post-match interview was that we did not play well.

“That’s when I knew that just winning is not enough at Barça. They want to win and play well,” Rakitic said.

Barcelona’s Champions League woes

Touching upon the harrowing defeats Barcelona suffered at the hands of AS Roma and Liverpool in 2018 and 2019, Rakitic said one of the reasons Barça failed is because they lost the hunger to keep winning.

“We lost the Champions League in 2018 and 2019 by ourselves. The opponents deserved it of course, but it felt like we didn’t try enough.

“Perhaps we were bored of winning. When you win so much, you lose focus, you don’t pay attention to the details,” the midfielder remarked.

When asked if pressure is one of the reasons that Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015, Rakitic answered:

“Yes. And there’s additional pressure because Real Madrid has won it a lot.”

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti was on Thursday asked for his take on the decision of Barcelona counterpart Xavi to go back on his decision to step down upon the season’s close.

The headline news across the Spanish football landscape across the day to date has of course come in the form of Xavi’s continuity on the Barcelona bench.

Barcelona are set to make important changes ahead of the summer transfer window, after a chaotic day yesterday that saw a lot of speculation around Xavi and his future.

“Good morning everyone. I am pleased to announce that Xavi continues as coach of Barça’s first team. He made some statements that he had considered leaving, but yesterday he gave me the illusion of the project and the team.”

However, today Barcelona President Joan Laporta confirmed that the coach would continue for another season, at least, despite rumours yesterday suggesting that the club had asked him to change part of his coaching staff, but he had rejected.

One of the apparent requests made by the club was asking Xavi asking to change the physical trainer of the team, presumably because of the multiple injuries important players suffer.

While the current physiotherapist might not end up leaving, Barcelona are considering hiring another physical trainer.

2010 World Cup physio on radar

According to a report published by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are set to hire renowned physiotherapist Raul Martinez in the summer to lead the team physical preparation department.

Martinez worked with the Spanish National Team between 2008 and 2012, and was an integral part in the physical readiness across their winning run spanning two European Championships (2008, 2012), and the World Cup (2010).

The Spaniard has been working on a lot of Barcelona players individually since the start of 2024, including Pedri.

He also worked with David Villa, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba, and Ansu Fati individually in the past.

Martinez’s will take up the Physical Therapy and Massage Cooridinator role at Barcelona next season.

avi is keen to sign Arsenal transfer target Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad after making a U-turn over his future as Barcelona manager.

Zubimendi has long been linked with a move to the Emirates with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta a massive fan of the 25-year-old defensive midfielder.

It was claimed earlier this year that Arteta has already held talks with Zubimendi and the Spain international would be open to joining Arsenal.

Zubimendi has a €60m (£52.6m) release clause which could be triggered by Arsenal in the upcoming summer transfer window.

But Xavi, who reversed his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season on Thursday, ‘loves’ Zubimendi, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

That is a blow to Arsenal who want to replace Thomas Partey with Zubimendi this summer in an attempt to upgrade their squad ahead of the 2024-25 season.

It is thought that Arsenal are hoping to offload Ghanaian midfielder Partey to a team in the Saudi Pro League, with the 30-year-old on significant wages.

It remains to be seen if Zubimendi would prefer to stay in La Liga or test himself in the Premier League, while German giants Bayern Munich also want him.

Barcelona are hoping to win the race for Zubimendi and there was big news for the Catalan club this week as Xavi announced a U-turn over this future.

‘Everybody knows my feelings for this club, I’ve always tried to do the best for Barcelona, it’s a club I know well, the most important thing is to think about the institution,’ Xavi said at a press conference on Thursday.

It remains to be seen if Zubimendi would prefer to stay in La Liga or test himself in the Premier League, while German giants Bayern Munich also want him.

Barcelona are hoping to win the race for Zubimendi and there was big news for the Catalan club this week as Xavi announced a U-turn over this future.

‘Everybody knows my feelings for this club, I’ve always tried to do the best for Barcelona, it’s a club I know well, the most important thing is to think about the institution,’ Xavi said at a press conference on Thursday.

Diego Lopez and Lamine Yamal were once part of La Masia. But on Monday, the two will become rivals on the pitch as Barcelona take on Valencia.

Lopez, who had moved to Valencia youth in 2021, has now established himself as a key player for the senior side. He will be one of the players in focus as Barcelona play host to the Asturian outfit on Monday.

Heading into this important game, Diego Lopez opened up on his relationship with Yamal and he did not even hesitate in praising his former La Masia teammate.

Diego Lopez heaps praise on Yamal, La Masia

“I met Lamine at La Masia. It was already clear that he was going to be a great player,” said Lopez (h/t Mundo Deportivo) who was teammates with Fermin Lopez and Gavi during his time at La Masia.

Although Lopez never quite managed to play regularly for Barça Atletic, he was a prominent figure in the youth teams before eventually making the move to Valencia.

Talking about his former club, Lopez commended Barcelona and La Masia for producing top talents on a consistent basis.

The academy is working very well, La Masia has always produced very good players, but the same thing has happened in Paterna. We have started in a good way and that is the basis, it is what most teams have to do, work on the youth system,” Lopez said.

“I am obsessed with football and like me, there will be many young people who will want to be in the first teams of their city,” he added.

Diego Lopez went on to talk about the Barcelona encounter and how important the game will be, as far as Valencia’s European aspirations are concerned.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that we want to play in Europe next year,” Lopez said.  “We have a great team and will fight until the last league game.”

A winger by trade, Diego Lopez has featured in 33 competitive matches for Valencia this season. His four goals and six assists have been crucial in helping Los Che remain in contention for a European place.

With just six matches left before the season comes to an end, Valencia do have a chance of finishing in the top six. But for that, the club must build a winning momentum, which must start on Monday against Barça.

The decision of FC Barcelona’s manager Xavi Hernandez to stay on for an additional season will probably have an effect on some of the players’ futures there.

Club captain Sergi Roberto is a player whose future will now be decided as the manager of the club wants him to stay.

The 32-year-old’s Barça contract expires at the end of the current season.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona will discuss about Roberto’s contract status once again very soon.

This is due to Xavi’s opinion of the 32-year-old La Masia graduate as a crucial member of the team both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Romano provided the following update on his X account about the Barcelona captain:

Barcelona will discuss Sergi Roberto’s contract again soon as Xavi considers him an important player on the pitch and in the dressing room.

After initial round of talks, Roberto’s camp and Barça will talk again but there are chances for him to stay again.

There will be further negotiations over Roberto’s contract with Barça following the preliminary conversations between his group and the club, and it seems quite probable that he will stay.

The versatile player has made 19 appearances for the Spanish giants this season, with nine of them coming in the league and five coming in the Champions League.

He is one of the senior most members of the Barcelona dressing room, having been a part of the Barca first team setup since 2010.

During his time at the club, Roberto has made over 200 appearances for the Catalans.

The Spaniard has played his part in the Spanish club winning seven La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

Meanwhile, Xavi looked like leaving Barcelona at the end of the season but now the club have convinced him to stay.

One player who probably won’t join that list of new signings is Bernardo Silva. The Portugal international who is currently playing for Manchester City is linked with a move away in the summer transfer window, to take on the next challenge in his already illustrious career.

It is believed that the best possible destination, in Bernardo Silva’s eyes, is Barcelona. This is because he will link up with his former midfield partner Ilkay Gundogan, who also made the switch from Man City to Barcelona this season. Furthermore, his countrymen Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo are on loan at the Catalan club and could extend their current stays.

As per 90min, Bernardo Silva reached the decision between Real Madrid and Barcelona via one specific route: game time. Silva, understandably, sees a greater opportunity for game time at Barcelona than Real Madrid, which is understandable considering the potential new signings in the capital.

Bernardo Silva would have been a great signing for Real Madrid. Needless to say, he has flair and creativity in abundance. However, as rightly pointed out by the player, he would not be able to guarantee minutes in the football capital.

With Xavi Hernandez now deciding to continue as the manager of FC Barcelona for another season, it is likely to have an impact on the future of some of the players at the club.

One such player happens to be veteran star and club captain Sergi Roberto.

The 32-year-old’s contract with Barça expires at the end of the season and there were suggestions that he could be on the move if Xavi does not stay.

Recently, though, it was reported that initial talks over a new deal had taken place between Roberto’s camp and Barcelona.

Fresh talks scheduled soon

Now, bringing an update on the matter, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona will discuss Roberto’s contract situation again very soon.

This is because Xavi considers the 32-year-old La Masia graduate an important player on the pitch and in the dressing room as well.

As such, after initial talks between Roberto’s entourage and Barça, there will be a fresh round of discussions over his contract, with the chances of him staying at the club appearing very likely.

Roberto eager to stay

Roberto, for his part, has always maintained that he would prefer to stay at his beloved club for at least another year.

“I hope I can stay at the club for next season as a captain and lift another title,” the captain had commented back in January.

The fact that his wages are not a major burden on the club also supports the possibility of him continuing at the Catalan outfit.

With Xavi’s continuity now a certainty, it could lead to Roberto staying on at Barcelona for one more season, with a new deal on the horizon.

Barcelona and Pedri are reportedly in advanced talks over extending his contract until June 30, 2028, with the 21-year-old a “non-transferable” player.

According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Pedri might soon sign a contract that will run until June 30, 2028. The 21-year-old midfielder’s current contract will expire in a little over two years. And the youngster is in advanced talks with Barcelona over a possible extension for two years.

Pedri and his rising market value

Pedri has been an exceptional performer since joining Barcelona from UD Las Palmas. The Blaugrana initially signed him in September 2019 before loaning him out to Las Palmas. The Spaniard finally arrived at Camp Nou in 2020 and has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.

However, Pedri’s long-term future has been the subject of widespread speculation in the last few months. Recent reports have linked the Spanish international with several high-profile clubs. The Barcelona midfielder has two years left on his contract with the Catalan club. And they will look to keep hold of him beyond the summer transfer window.

Recent reports had suggested that Barcelona might consider cashing in on Pedri in the summer transfer window. However, those claims are wide of the mark, with the Blaugrana keen on tying him to a new contract instead. And the latest updates have pointed to Barcelona opening talks with the 21-year-old prospect.

Talks between Barcelona and Pedri’s entourage have ramped up in the last few days, with SPORT suggesting the two parties have advanced discussions. With an agreement on the cards, the Spaniard’s deal with the Catalan outfit will extend until June 30, 2028.

The report by SPORT has claimed that Pedri is a “non-transferable” player for Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window. With talks between the two parties advancing, we should soon witness an official announcement of an extension.

After a frantic few hours last night, FC Barcelona have decided that they will continue with Xavi Hernandez as their manager beyond this season.

A lot happened on Wednesday evening, with reports hinting that Xavi would be leaving before a meeting took place between him and sporting director Deco.

Simultaneously, there was a meeting at Joan Laporta’s house between himself and vice president Rafa Yuste, before they were joined by Xavi, Deco, and Alejandro Echevarria.

After a lengthy discussion, it was finally agreed between all parties that Xavi would continue as the manager of the Barcelona first-team setup.

Mundo Deportivo has now brought forward a report that outlines two major factors that played a key part in Xavi’s continuity.

Laporta sees Xavi as the best option

It is no secret that Joan Laporta has always been a staunch supporter of Xavi’s continuity and even though there were some doubts creeping in, the Barcelona president ultimately decided to stick with the club legend.

The president, seeing that he could not sign any of the coaches he considered ‘top’ to manage Barcelona, did not see another candidate capable of improving a squad that Xavi knows perfectly well and that he has made his own.

Especially, the fact that Xavi has bet on the young people coming through the academy who have consolidated themselves in the team swung the balance in his favour.

The total support of the players

Another major factor that ended up influencing Xavi’s continuity is the fact that he enjoys the complete support of the Barcelona players.

From day one they have been going up to the office to try to get the coach to reconsider his departure at the end of the season. Many have even spoken out publicly about their desire to see him stay on.

And the support of the players has been vital for Xavi to give his yes to continue for another year.

Beyond this, there is also the fact that Barcelona are confident of signing top players due to their optimism about the 1:1 rule and the full faith of the men in power at the club which played a role in Xavi’s decision.