Al-Shabab Midfielder Voices Concerns Over Messi’s Leadership and Team’s Performance
In a candid interview with Micspod, Al-Shabab midfielder Ivan Rakitic opened up about his time at Barcelona, shedding light on his former teammate Lionel Messi’s leadership qualities and the club’s complacency in recent Champions League campaigns.
Rakitic did not mince his words when addressing Messi’s captaincy, asserting that the Argentine superstar fell short in guiding his teammates effectively on the field. “He was not the best captain to tell you what you had to do because he was unique, different,” Rakitic remarked.
The Croatian midfielder suggested that Messi’s exceptional playing abilities overshadowed his capacity to lead and instruct his fellow players during matches.
Furthermore, Rakitic expressed his belief that Messi possessed the skills to excel in defensive positions, implying that the forward’s reluctance to defend was a missed opportunity for the team.
“He doesn’t have to defend; that’s my job,” Rakitic stated, suggesting that Messi’s versatility could have been utilized to strengthen Barcelona’s defensive capabilities.
Reflecting on Barcelona’s disappointments in the Champions League, particularly in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Rakitic attributed the failures to a lack of effort and focus within the squad. “We lost the Champions League in 2018 and 2019 ourselves,” Rakitic admitted.
Despite acknowledging the merits of their opponents, Rakitic emphasized that Barcelona’s own shortcomings, including complacency and a decline in attention to detail, contributed significantly to their downfall in Europe’s elite competition.
The Croatian midfielder suggested that the team’s success and dominance in domestic competitions may have led to a sense of entitlement and fatigue, ultimately hindering their performance on the continental stage.
“When you earn so much, you lose focus and don’t pay attention to detail, and then they kill you,” Rakitic remarked, highlighting the dangers of complacency in professional football.
Rakitic’s remarks offer a rare insight into the dynamics within Barcelona’s dressing room during his tenure at the club.
His candid assessment of Messi’s leadership and the team’s collective mindset sheds light on the challenges faced by one of the world’s most successful football institutions.
As Rakitic continues his career at Al-Shabab, his reflections on his time at Barcelona serve as a reminder of the complexities and pressures inherent in top-level football.
While Messi’s prowess on the pitch is unquestionable, Rakitic’s observations raise important questions about the role of leadership and mentality in achieving sustained success at the highest level of the sport.
Barcelona fans and football enthusiasts alike will undoubtedly dissect Rakitic’s comments, pondering their implications for the club’s future and the legacy of its iconic captain, Lionel Messi.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members