Former Croatian international Rakitić discussed the Nations League match between Spain and Croatia in an interview with Spanish radio station COPE, according to Croatian media HRT. He believes Croatia has the ability to trouble Spain, particularly given the team's defensive strength and performance against strong opponents.

Rakitić said, "Croatia can trouble Spain. First, Croatia knows exactly how to defend, and we often perform better against top national teams."

"I remember when I was playing, matches that everyone thought we would lose 2-0 or 3-0 turned out to be very difficult. But when we needed to defend, patiently wait for the right moment, and then hurt the opposition, we always did it well."

The match between Spain and Croatia will take place at 20:45 local time, and Rakitić will attend the game at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, his former home during his time at Sevilla. He confirmed that he will be in the stands as a regular supporter, not representing any football institution or association.

Rakitić, 38, earned 106 caps for the Croatian national team throughout his career and served as the team's vice-captain. He participated in the 2018 World Cup final with the team.

Spain will play its first home match since winning the World Cup this summer. However, according to Rakitić, he prefers the generation of Spanish players who won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships, featuring players like Andrés Iniesta, compared to Spain's current team.

He said, "These players may achieve higher historical status in five or ten years, but they are still in their careers and grew up watching the previous generation of players..."

Rakitić explained, using Croatian football as an example: "My generation and I also grew up watching Davor Šuker and the team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup. We were runners-up at the 2018 World Cup, but people still talk about that generation because they were the first to achieve those things."

"Perhaps my generation's historical status will be higher in the future, but Šuker was with me in Sevilla for an event, and people still look at him like a god, like he's extraordinary. That's just how it is."

Regarding the upcoming 2026 Ballon d'Or announcement, Rakitić believes there is currently "no clear favorite".

He said, "This year, there is no player, whether at club or World Cup level, who stands out extraordinarily. Therefore, it's difficult to choose one person. We used to be accustomed to Messi and Ronaldo winning this award, but now there's no player like that."

"Some players have performed brilliantly in their leagues, some have scored many goals, but their World Cup performances weren't as good; and some players are the opposite."

Rakitić specifically praised 24-year-old French player from Bayern Munich, Michael Olise, and two Spanish international players from Barcelona, Lamine Yamal and Rodri.

Additionally, Rakitić also spoke about 19-year-old Croatian centre-back Luka Vušković, who currently plays for Brighton. He said it is "very unfortunate" that Vušković is not playing in La Liga.

Rakitić said, "This kid is extraordinary. I don't understand why Tottenham let him go. He has remarkable attributes, and Croatian national team players also say they can't believe such a young player can play so calmly under such enormous pressure."

"He gives the impression of saying, 'I've got this, you don't need to worry.' Sometimes his confidence is even a bit excessive, and he still needs to learn in that regard. But in my opinion, he is a top-level player, and with time, he will eventually join a club like Barcelona or Real Madrid."

During his playing career, Rakitić won the Champions League in 2015 with Barcelona and the Europa League with Sevilla in 2014 and 2023. This summer, he returned to live in the city of Seville in southern Spain.

Previously, Rakitić worked in player acquisition and sales for Hajduk Split. After leaving Hajduk, he chose to settle back in Seville, where his wife Raquel is from, and they have two daughters.

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