'He's not the best captain' - Messi leadership questioned by ex-Barca team-mate

Lionel Messi’s qualities as a captain have come under scrutiny from former Barcelona team-mate Ivan Rakitic.

The Argentine was Barca captain from 2018 until 2021, when he decamped to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract.

He lifted a Spanish La Liga title and a Copa del Rey as captain, being the first non-European player to wear the armband in the club’s history.

Rakitic, 36, played for Barca from 2014 until 2020, winning a Champions League, four league titles and four cups alongside Messi, including the treble in 2015 under Luis Enrique.

He is now playing for Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League and spoke to MicsPod about his long and illustrious career alongside some of the greats of the game, including Messi.

“Messi is the best in history,” the Croatian international said. “And if he put his mind to it, he could be the best left back in the world if he wanted to!”

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

Messi, 36, is now playing for MLS side Inter Miami alongside former Barca team-mates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and good friend Luis Suarez with Rakitic previously linked with a move to Florida.

He has won eight Ballons d’Or and led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022.

Barca have changed too quickly

Barca have undergone a huge change over the past few years with the aforementioned players all leaving and manager Xavi attempting to create a new side among La Masia graduates and less expensive imports.

It has led the Catalans to lose pace with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga this season, while PSG also eliminated them at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League.

Rakitic also had his say about Barca’s issues in moving between one generation and the next.

“Barca makes the generational change too quickly and Madrid, progressively. [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos are still at the club, taking care of the young people, at Barca there are changes too quickly,” he said.