In an interview with El Larguero, Ivan Rakitic has referred to Andres Iniesta's situation, with the Barcelona captain negotiating his future with the club.

Midfielder Rakitic has revealed the influence Iniesta has had, continues to have and will have on the pitch for the Catalan giants.

"It's difficult to imagine Barca without Iniesta. It's like Barca without Xavi. It's really difficult, almost impossible," he said, before speaking about Lionel Messi's future, too.

Messi is also in renewal talks with the club and the Croatian international doesn't expect to see his team-mate leave.

"What [Messi] has here at Barcelona is something which money can't buy," he added.

"Plus he has a close friend in Luis [Suarez]. They get on really well, arrive together most days and I'm sure that he's really keen to stay."

Rakitic recently renewed himself and says he never had any "doubts" about staying, even when he was playing fewer minutes earlier this season.