The midfielder made his first return to a fan-filled Nou Camp in Sevilla’s 1-0 defeat to Xavi
Rakitic left Barcelona in 2020 and never received a proper send-off due supporters not being allowed inside stadia.
And although Rakitic returned last season there were no fans inside the Nou Camp to give him a warm
welcome.
That meant Sunday’s fixture was the first opportunity for Barcelona fans to show their appreciation for the 34-year-old, who won the treble with the Spanish giants in 2015.
Barcelona fans applauded Rakitic in the warm-up and in return he handed out both his shirt and shorts after the match.
That meant he had to jog in his underwear from one end of the pitch to the tunnel.
And it was not a happy return for Rakitic as he was left humiliated by a wonderful piece of skill from Barca wonderkid Pedri, who tricked the Croatian before finding the bottom corner to score the winner.
The youngster has succeeded Rakitic in Barcelona’s midfield and would do well to replicate the Sevilla star’s success in Catalonia.
Rakitic won 13 trophies in six years with the Blaugrana including La Liga on four occasions.
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Rakitic also scored in the Champions League final victory over Juventus in 2015, so is fondly remembered by the Barcelona fanbase.
Former team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also embraced Rakitic at the end of the match and had the trio had a quick chat.
