Ivan Rakitic has backed away from suggestions that he publicly backed Real Madrid to win the Champions League.
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has moved to quell suggestions that he said he wants Real Madrid to win the Champions League.
Rakitic told Sportske Novosti recently that Madrid midfielder Luka Modric winning the Champions League could provide the Croatia camp with a boost ahead of Euro 2016.
Coming off the back of Barcelona's European exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Rakitic's comments promptly caused consternation in both Barca and Madrid's notoriously partisan media circles.