An FC Barcelona star, who regards Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time, believes 2017/18 was, in fact, Luka Modric's season, despite what some say.
The Croatia international, who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup's Golden Ball, has also claimed UEFA's Player of the Year accolade and has made it on to the three-man shortlist for The Best FIFA Men's Player honour ahead of the Argentine.
Rakitic, a teammate of both players, has now stated that while he is under no illusion about Messi's standing in the game, he feels that, in terms of performances, Modric was simply better than him in 2017/18.
"There are seasons that you can be better or not," Rakitic said, as quoted by FourFourTwo.
"For me, in general, the best player of the world and maybe the greatest of all time is Leo Messi. It's easy, you take a boy, and nine of 10 boys are gonna say the same.
"But I think it was the year of Luka, sincerely. I think it's something that Leo and all the people know, he (Modric) deserves all the awards.
"Sincerely, if he received the award of the best European player... I don't know what he has to do to be the best player in the world, with all he did.
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"I don't need to help him as a good friend of him as I am, he made everything on himself, nobody gave him anything. For me, it's clear that it has to be Luka (for The Best award)."
What do you think of Rakitic's opinion? Have your say in the comments section below.
