FC Barcelona legend says what Real Madrid has done better than the Catalan club

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are big rivals in football, and the two compete with each other, which creates animosity. While the two clubs do not get along that well, a few players have shown respect toward their opposition in terms of team form and signings. An FC Barcelona legend talked highly about Real Madrid's structure and what it does better than Barca in terms of squad development.

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Ivan Rakitic is a Barcelona legend since he won a treble with them in the 2014/15 season, where he scored the opener against Juventus in the Champions League final. Rakitic has been involved in other important moments for the Catalan club and has scored against Real Madrid in the past. In an interview with Marca, the Croatian spoke highly about Real Madrid and mentioned what they do better than FC Barcelona.

Rakitic told Marca, "Real Madrid have done everything well, little by little. Modrić and Kroos are still there leading the team. Maybe Barcelona have gone too fast. I'm convinced Gavi and Pedri are going to be the future of Barça and Spanish football, but I think that help from us - the old people, as they have called us - would have been good for them. I'm convinced that all those kids like Bellingham and company greatly appreciate the daily learning they have with Luka and Toni."

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Rakitic praises Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

Rakitic praised Florentino Perez for his work at Real Madrid and congratulated him for his job at the club. Rakitic said, "I speak with the utmost respect because they have been my rivals for many years, but seeing what Florentino Pérez is achieving... we have to say 'chapó'. They get what they are looking for. There is a plan. Presidents are not always right, but he was right in his decisions, with the players, with the stadium, with everything around it, with the image of the club."

"We must congratulate him and, above all, how Real Madrid are carrying out this change from a single generation to the next one that comes. Everything makes a difference, and that ends up being noticed."