Argentina face Croatia in a must-win game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Thursday.
Croatian soccer star Ivan Rakitic on Wednesday defended his Barcelona teammate - and next opponent in the 2018 FIFA World Cup - Lionel Messi, stressing that no one is more proud than the five-time Ballon d'Or award winner to captain La Albiceleste on the soccer pitch.
Rakitic defended Messi's commitment to his international matches after Messi was heavily criticized for failing to score a penalty shot during Argentina's debut match which ended in a surprising draw against World Cup newcomer Iceland.
Rakitic is set to face his Barça teammate on Thursday, something the Croatian star said he considered an honor. The 30-year-old midfielder said it was important for the Croatian national team to work together to stop Messi, who in the first match against Iceland - despite a missed penalty - had nine shots on goal.
Rakitic also revealed that he had not spoken to Messi during the World Cup because it was important to stay focused on how to best beat the Argentines.
Rakitic, 30, is convinced there will be a feisty reaction, with his Barcelona colleague leading the way. “In Argentina’s first match, Leo had about eight shots on goal and that penalty opportunity. He could have easily scored two or three but it didn’t play out that way.”
Rakitic has spent the last four seasons playing alongside Messi at Barcelona and said there was no point in attempting special measures to deal with the Argentina captain's talent. “We have to anticipate and accept the unpredictable.
“We know it is going to be very difficult to play against them, and that is why we need to trust in our assets and play the perfect game. To beat Argentina, we’ll have to play the perfect match and we’ll have to work very hard, from the first second to the very last minute of stoppage time," he said at Wednesday's pre-match news conference.
“We have to make things hard for them, prevent them from enjoying their match. But ultimately it is important for us to enjoy such a special opportunity against one of the favourites to win the World Cup and against the best player in the world. I think Leo is the best player to ever play the game, and I wish him the best of luck at the World Cup. But not tomorrow,” he added.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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 "Argentina's Lionel Messi during a training session on Tuesday")
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