Rakitic doesn't deserve this Barcelona Opinion of Luis F. Rojo

Ivan Rakitic has always been an exemplary player since he joined Barcelona in the summer of 2014.

His career on and off the field is that of a true professional, giving everything on the pitch and with exquisite behaviour outside of it. For Ernesto Valverde, he has been a key player in the last two seasons and a regular starter.

His performances largely come as a result of the confidence that the coach has given him, aware of his tactical intelligence and his sacrifice for the good of the team.

Rakitic had the chance to leave Barcelona last summer when he had a significant offer from PSG but he instead chose to stay because president Josep Maria Bartomeu promised him an improved contract which, by the way, has not yet been fulfilled.

The way Rakitic is being treated is improper of a club which so often boasts of its values. Rakitic does not deserve to be treated as a commodity. The saga already began at the start of 2019 when the first news appeared about his sale should a good offer come in.

Rakitic made it clear at the end of last season that his idea was to stay at Barcelona. Despite this, the possibility of a sale has been repeatedly fed: Inter, Juventus, Manchester United, PSG and many others. He was included as part of any possible operation while the player himself was always thinking about staying.

The possibility of Rakitic entering the Neymar operation has unearthed the worst. To begin with, there was the decision of Valverde, consciously or unconsciously, to leave him on the bench in the first two LaLiga Santander games. If there was a time when Rakitic needed support, he has not found it in the coach.

That was followed by the club posting some images of a training session in which Ansu Fati left him on the ground with some neat skill. It was a poor choice of timing to post that video.

Then, shortly after, he entered the proposed move for Neymar. The club trying to displace him as if he were a piece of merchandise, while his accounts on social media were full of insults asking him to leave. No, he doesn't deserve this.