Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has admitted that he wouldn’t mind if Cristiano Ronaldo decides to leave Real Madrid.

In an interview with Marca, the Croatian talked about Ronaldo’s strengths and how he is someone who is always a threat to Barcelona’s chances of winning trophies.

“I find it difficult to imagine that he will leave,” Rakitic said.

“However, football moves quickly and many things happen. He’s the player that makes the difference at Real Madrid.

“And, if he goes, I would be glad, I’m not going to lie. As a colleague, though, I hope he makes the best decision. As with Zinedine Zidane, I wish him the best. And if he goes, well, better [for Barcelona].”

Rakitic though was all praise for team-mate Lionel Messi, whose Argentina side he will face in the group stage of the World Cup.

“There’s no one in football that has found the formula to stop him. Not [Croatia coach] Dalic, not me… no one. What you have to do is enjoy him.”

“We admit that it’s really special to compete with Leo, but he also knows that we’re all excited to play against him. It’s not that it’s something nice, but this is the top-level, it’s a World Cup, the best teams are here and you compete against them. It’s a special motivation to be enjoyed.

“All eyes are on Messi, they’re the favourite [in the group]. Leo deserved [to win a World Cup] but football is not tennis. You can’t put pressure on him. He deserves it, but there are 32 national teams with the same dream.”