Rakitic cut out pasta, sweets and chocolate and is now two kilograms lighter LaLiga Santander - FC Barcelona Since discovering he has celiac disease

So far in 2018 Ivan Rakitic has clocked up more minutes than any other LaLiga Santander player and the physical potential of the player is extraordinary because, besides being the man who has played the most, he is also one of those who covers the most distance in each game.

In fact, he hardly ever drops below 10 kilometres per game.

This fitness may partly be explained by the fact Rakitic has undergone an important physical change since the beginning of last season.

He has been forced to change his diet since discovering that he has celiac disease.

As a result, the Croatian has been forced to cut out pasta, bread and sweets, in addition to pastries, chocolate and beer.

That change in diet has meant that he has naturally shed two kilograms.

"It is helping me a lot," he said, revealing how it helps him both in the recovery phase after games and before them.

"I now feel lighter in training and in preparing for games."

So far this year, he has played a total of 47 games.