Rakitic: What Florentino Perez is achieving is something to tip your hat to, there's a plan

Former Barcelona midfielder praised the way Real Madrid are building their squad

Ivan Rakitic enjoyed one of the better LaLiga EA Sports careers during his time with both Sevilla and Barcelona, winning multiple trophies, although he now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Shabab.

Having made the move that many former LaLiga greats did in the summer, he is now able to look back upon some of his key moments in Spain, most notably with the Blaugrana.

However, he was also rather complimentary towards a former adversary in Real Madrid and Florentino Perez, commending him on the job he has done to build the current team at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

In an exclusive sit-down interview with MARCA, the Croatian midfielder opened up on his new life in Saudi Arabia, as well as giving his own takes on the state of Spanish football.

Q: What is the first thing you noticed when you arrived in Riyadh?

A: «Love for football, desire and enthusiasm. That's why I arrive here with a big smile on my face every day. I want to speak to you, to present what is happening here. People always talk about the money, but it's really nice to see what they are doing day-by-day.»

Q: Do you feel excited about helping it grow?

A: «Very much so. I think that I, and I include almost all foreigners, come here to feel that excitement. Before arriving, I wanted to read everything that is happening in the country, not just in the 2030 vision, but everything that they have prepared for their people. I was left with an open mouth, the Crown Prince was to unite the continents, to show the world the treasure that Saudi Arabia has, and it is being done through sport. It's going to be the center of the world of sport and football.»

Q: Has Saudi football surprised