Throughout his storied managerial career, Jose Mourinho has tried and failed "various times" to sign Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
Mourinho, whose Roma side face Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday, once described the Croatian star as "one of the most underrated players in the world" and many of his former clubs were linked with a transfer while he was boss. "He is a fantastic player," the ex- Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager also told beIN Sports in 2019 when Rakitic was at Barcelona.
"He does defensive work on the right-hand side to compensate for [Lionel] Messi. He runs miles. In ball possession he is fantastic. He is simple, he is effective. Normally we speak about the big names, but Rakitic, for me he needs to improve his Instagram and his social media, because in this moment this is very important and he's not very good on that, but he's very good on the pitch."
Responding to Mourinho's praise, which came when the Special One wasn't in a job, Rakitic admitted to GQ : "It was amazing to hear that. When I heard it, I said that not even my Dad would not say that. "He is one of the greatest coaches in the world and gave me a lot of confidence and motivation. I want to see Mourinho in football soon."
The Croatia international now says that he'd have "loved" to work with Mourinho, who attempted to sign him on multiple occasions, but is more than content with where his footballing journey has taken him. "It is a pity, really," Rakitic, 35, confessed in a recent interview with The Athletic.
"He is one of the best coaches in football history. I respect him a lot, love how he is able to get so much out of his players, out of his teams. It will be very difficult against Roma, but I'm happy to face him again, I always want to measure myself against the best."
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Starting off his days as a senior player at Swiss side Basel, the versatile playmaker shone over three-and-a-half years with German giants Schalke before earning a move to Sevilla. Continuing to impress for club and country, Rakitic went on to join Barcelona and won the treble in his first season, memorably scoring in their Champions League final victory over Juventus.
Since returning to Sevilla in 2020, the 35-year-old hasn't enjoyed quite the same level of success as during his first spell in southern Spain but could win his second Europa League title with the club on Wednesday. "Seville is my home, my place of confidence and love," Rakitic added.
"When not being a footballer, just around the city, I am one more Sevillista, not more or less special than anyone else. To be in the place where you feel best is the loveliest thing. And to bring another trophy back here would be the most beautiful thing."
