IN SPORT.ES
Ivan Rakitic was full of praise for Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who he will face in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Barcelona midfielder expressed his sadness that the Italian goalkeeper will not be at the World Cup next summer after Italy were knocked out by Sweden last week.
"I would like to tell Buffon to go in my place because what he’s done for football is incredible, simply unique," the Croatian international offered.
"When a child writes out his ideal lineup, Buffon is always in there. I can’t explain what it’s like to see him at the end of a game in that shape and to stand next to him. It’s a shame he isn’t able to finish his career at another World Cup and I’d honestly love to give him that opportunity.
"It’s difficult to stay out of a tournament like that. When you saw him crying in the interview at the end of the match [against Sweden], you wanted to cry with him."