Ivan Rakitic has never held back when asked about his time at Camp Nou, and the Croatian midfielder surely left no stone unturned when talking about how he wants his future to unfold in the next couple of months.
The player spoke to Mundo Deportivo about his relationship with Barcelona's hierarchy, revealing that the recent exchanges have damaged the way he relates to some of those in charge. With that in mind, Rakitic urged Barça execs to treat him respectfully if they want to see him leaving the club this summer.
"I understand how things may change in the summer, but I am not a sack of potatoes to be thrown around. They can always talk to me, but what's really important to me is playing for a club that wants me there, a club that respects me and where my family and myself feel comfortable, If it's here (Barcelona), so be it, and if not, it will be somewhere where I want to play," Rakitic said.
The Croatian midfielder was linked to an exit from Los Culés for the past two transfer windows, and that sort of treatment was not what Rakitic expected from such a big club as the Blaugrana side.
"They are clear about one thing: they can't treat me like they did last winter. They know I don't like that sort of treatment and that if they want me to leave, I'd like them to ask me first if I like the destination. That's what really matters to me," Rakitic added.
The Croatian ace ruled out any intention to cause any problems, since he has always proved he is a team player.
"I've shown for the past five years that they can always count on me. I hope I can see the end of my contract, and if it's not possible, we should sit down to talk about what can happen. Right now, all that matters is to end the rest of the season in the best form possible. Once it ends, we can talk about things," Rakitic concluded.
