Ivan Rakitic: 'I really want to feel the ball again'

Ivan Rakitic is spending his days at home and, just like everyone else, he's trying to establish a routine with his family. It's clear that the Croatian misses football and the team dynamics, and in an interview with Movistar Plus, Rakitic explained: "I really want to feel the ball again, the grass and the group effort, and to continue working with the new coaching staff and my team-mates."

The end of the season

"It hurts to say that we don't know when everything will return to normal. But we understand that there are more important things than football, which is our health. And yet, that uncertainty, not knowing how many days it will be before we return, is difficult to deal with."

"We all want to play again, and to win the league by playing. I also understand that if we can't go back somehow, the season will have to end. If we are at the top, then we will have to be the champions, but deadlines must be exhausted. The ideal scenario would be to finish whenever, but always with a well-made plan, especially considering next season too."

"It is already becoming more difficult to work alone. I really want to feel the ball again, the grass and the group effort, to continue working with the new coaching staff and with my team-mates. I hope I can play again this season and fight for the titles."

Day to day in confinement

"I am at home, like everyone else, and with my wife and my two daughters. We get along well. At the moment I can say that the girls are behaving like two champions."

"In the morning, first thing in the morning, we have breakfast together. Afterwards they do their homework and, normally before eating lunch, I do sports. It's a routine a bit like the usual one, but instead of going to the Ciutat Esportiva I stay here, at home. Afterwards we eat, rest, play a while longer and I'll sometimes have another training session before dinner."

"Nobody has priority in this situation. We have to be aware of that, and together we will beat this."