Ivan Rakitic explains why Lionel Messi was 'sometimes not the best captain' at Barcelona during glittering Camp Nou career

The Croatian midfielder, who played with Messi at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, claimed the footballing legend wasn't the best at telling you 'what you had do to' while he captained the club.

Messi was given the armband for three seasons from 2018 to 2021 following Andres Iniesta's exit, where he guided his side to the La Liga title in 2019.

“Messi is the best in history, and if he put his mind to it, he could be the best left back in the world if he wanted to!” he said via Diario AS.

“Although he was sometimes not the best captain to tell you what you had to do, that was because he was unique and different.”

Both players have since moved on from Barcelona, with Messi leaving in 2021 to join Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint Germain. The World Cup winner now plays in MLS with Inter Miami - where he was given the captaincy in 2024.

Meanwhile, Rakitic returned to his former club Sevilla after parting ways with the Camp Nou. Before becoming one of many players in the twilight of their careers to accept a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League, where he represents Al-Shabab.

Al-Shabab, who are tenth in the SPL, face Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad side on Friday evening. Their next fixture will be played on May 4 against 13th placed Al-Raed.

Elsewhere, Messi is enjoying an impressive start to the MLS campaign as Miami currently sit top of the Eastern Conference with 18 points across the opening ten games. The former Barcelona man has seven goals and six assists in six appearances.