'Yamal is not Barcelona's best player'

Ivan Rakitić surprises by stating that Raphinha is Barcelona's decisive factor, rather than Lamine Yamal or Pedri.

Former midfielder Ivan Rakitić surprises by not selecting Lamine Yamal or Pedri as Barcelona's most important player, instead asserting that Raphinha is the one who makes the biggest difference.

In the context where Yamal is becoming a global phenomenon with explosive performances, and Pedri continues to be the "brain" in midfield, Rakitić views things from a more practical perspective. According to the Croatian former star, Raphinha is the player who brings balance and has the greatest influence on Barcelona's current style of play.

Speaking ahead of the crucial match against Atletico Madrid, Rakitić emphasized that the presence of Raphinha creates a clear difference. He believes there is “one Barcelona with Raphinha and a completely different Barcelona without him”, thereby highlighting the comprehensive role of the Brazilian player in coach Hansi Flick's system.

Not only contributing in attack, Raphinha also supports defense, maintains high intensity, and helps the team operate smoothly. This is the factor that leads Rakitić to rate him higher than the young talents receiving much attention.

On the other hand, Lamine Yamal is experiencing a sensitive moment. The 18-year-old talent is reportedly dissatisfied with being substituted in the win against Rayo Vallecano, even showing frustration on the field. However, Coach Flick has spoken to reassure and deny any conflict with his player.

Next, Barcelona will face a pivotal clash with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Rakitić predicts this will be a tense tactical battle between Flick and Diego Simeone, where every small detail could determine the outcome.

While acknowledging Barcelona's chances, Rakitić also admits this will be an extremely tough challenge. However, with Raphinha's consistent form, the Catalan side has solid grounds to believe in a positive result.