The 26-year-old said that one of the greatest attacking trios of the modern game will have to do their share of the legwork if the team is to win trophies this season.
Rakitic has also praised the “unbelievable” facilities on offer as Barcelona train at St. George’s Park this week, and admitted he could only dream of using such a venue with the Croatia national team.
“St. George's Park is unbelievable. I am so happy to be here”
Ivan Rakitic
He said: “We are working so hard to be ready for the new season and to be somewhere like this – it’s great.
“St. George’s Park is unbelievable. It is the kind of place I dream about for the Croatia national team. It is a wonderful place to work and I am so happy to be here.”
Barcelona trained on Tuesday morning on the Wembley replica pitch under the watchful eye of head coach Luis Enrique – but although Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique were all put through their paces, Messi, Neymar and Suarez were not present.
Messi returns to full training after taking a break following the World Cup, Neymar is recovering from a back injury while Suarez will miss the start of the season due to suspension.
Ivan Rakitic shares a joke with his Barca team-mates
Rakitic – who this summer joined from Sevilla – said he was relishing playing with the trio but that the team cannot prosper on their talent alone.
“They are the best players in the world. It is a privilege to play with them and we have to do our best to help them,” he said in St. George’s Park’s lecture theatre.
“But Barcelona is not just about those three. We all have our role to play and if we work together they will do better too.”
Barca finished second in La Liga last season – a failure by their high standards – and Rakitic said: “We all have to work together to be a strong team – a harder team.
“When you play for the biggest team in the world you are under pressure to deliver trophies from day one. That’s why we’re here. If we keep working the trophies will come.”
And despite impressing for Croatia at the World Cup in Brazil, the Swiss-born midfielder admits he has to improve if he is to make the grade at Camp Nou.
On Monday Rakitic took part in Barca’s traditional rondo warm-up – a kind of football piggy-in-the-middle – and was given the run-around by pass-masters Xavi, Pedro and Iniesta.
Fellow Croats Alen Hallilovic and Ivan Rakitic head out for training
“I wasn’t used to it,” he laughed, “but I am determined to get better. At Barcelona the ball and possession is incredibly important – I know that and I realise I have more to do to get to the level where I am happy.
“It’s similar to how I found things with Sevilla – but the technical level is so much higher. We’re working very hard but I am enjoying it as much as I can.”
Rakitic also says that Xavi’s decision to stay with Barcelona for another season will be a big help as he settles in Catalonia. The Croat had been earmarked by many as an immediate successor to the 34-year-old playmaker who was expected to move away from Spain.
“I can learn so much from him and I enjoy every single moment that I train alongside him. I am very happy that he stays,” said Rakitic.
And Barcelona’s succession planning will not stop there; this summer marked the arrival of Alen Hallilovic, who turned 18 in June and yet already has three caps for Croatia’s senior team.
The gifted former Dinamo Zagreb midfeidler has travelled with Barca to St. George’s Park this week, and Rakitic is keen to play a part in the youngster’s development.
“I’m not surprised he’s at Barcelona. He’s very young but everyone in Croatia knows how good he is,” he said.
“I’m trying to help him like an older brother should because I know the language. I’m going to stay close to him so he can improve.”
