Former Barcelona player Rakitic speaks on his rift with Messi and Suarez: We weren't close friends but got on well

Rakitic's reportedly didn’t get along with the pair and that is believed to have led to the player exit to Sevilla this summer.

Ivan has denied those suggestions as he 'got on incredibly well' with Messi and Suarez despite not being close friends with them.

“I’ve said my side. My relationship with them was never one of close friends. I believe that’s hard in a group of 23 or 24 players,” Ivan Rakitic told El Desmarque of his relationship with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

“My closest friends were Andres Iniesta, Ter Stegen, Boateng and Junior Firpo last season. But I respect them both. They were my teammates for six years and are very important players. I’ve always got on incredibly well and have the utmost respect for them.

“During the coronavirus lockdown, we’ve all been very close together, almost neighbours. I’m very thankful for how they’ve treated me over the years.”

The Croat returned to Sevilla in the summer after winning every major trophy with Barcelona in the past six years.

The 32-year-old's exit from Camp Nou was reportedly caused by the fact that he didn’t get along with Messi and Suarez but that story appears to be made up out of thin air.