News: See reason why Rakitic says only Money will make me leave Barcelona to PSG
Ivan Rakitic says
it was an easy decision to stay at Barcelona, stressing money would have
been the only reason to join Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1
champions were linked with a move for the Croatia international, but he
confirmed his decision to remain at Camp Nou this week.
Barca's reported
interest in PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot complicated matters, while there was
also fallout from Neymar's world-record switch between the clubs.
But Rakitic, who
helped lead Croatia to their first World Cup final after winning a domestic
double with Barcelona last season, says it was simple to ignore speculation
linking him with PSG.
"I listened to
my wife and my heart and I realised that I'm very privileged to wear
Barcelona's shirt," Rakitic told Sport."To defend this badge is the
greatest honour."There isn't a team in the world who could give me more,
unless it's money.
"My eldest
child has been at their school for two years and she has her friends. The
youngest is about to start pre-school. "We're very happy here and in that
regard it was a very easy decision to make. I'm proud to continue at
Barca."
Rakitic conceded,
however, he would have held negotiations with PSG had Barcelona received an
acceptable offer."If that had been the case, then we would've
talked," the 30-year-old added. "We'd need to see what was best
for everyone and if the club had approached it that way, then maybe my reaction
would've been different.
"The most
important aspect is that we can work together and that what might be good for
me, might be bad for the club. The most important thing is we want to continue
working together. I feel very wanted by the people at this club and the
supporters. That's why I made the decision so quickly."
Can
Barcelona expect more of this from Philippe Coutinho in the #UCL next
Despite winning
LaLiga and the Copa del Rey in Ernesto Valverde's first season in charge,
Barcelona's 2017-18 was tinged with disappointment.
A shock loss to
Roma in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, despite taking a 4-1
first-leg lead, marred their campaign and Rakitic indicated making amends is a
priority this term.
"It doesn't
count for anything if we go out at the quarter-finals or semi-finals. The most
important thing is to win it," Rakitic said. "Every year
here at Barca the objective is to win every competition we enter. In
the last three years we haven't been the best side in the Champions League.
"For that
reason we're so keen to win it, but we know that it won't happen unless we win
LaLiga as well. We have a great squad but it's only just begun. We'll try and
do our best, enjoying ourselves and improving as the season goes on."
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