Ivan Rakitic has labelled Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar "football magicians".

The attacking trio scored over 100 goals in all competitions last season as the club became the first side to win the treble twice.

Rakitic - who is in his second season at Camp Nou after joining from Sevilla just over a year ago - says he would be in awe of the three men even if they weren't his team-mates

He told Vecernji: "MSN are football magicians and if I wasn't part of that family, I would also admit they are the best."

The Croatia international also spoke in depth about his relationship with Messi and the need for Barca to adapt during his injury-enforced absence.

"Messi is one and only, no one like him will ever be born again," he added. "When it gets tough, he pops up and solves the problem.

"Now each one of us will have to give even more to replace him, but it is impossible to make up Messi's absence.

"Privately, Messi is calm, quite, no big words... but as I came, he approached me and said 'Hi, I am Lionel Messi, and whatever you need, just tell me'.

"Now our wives and children hang out more than the two of us have time to."

"Messi is recovering for the Madrid-Barcelona game. He is hoping to play El Clasico, but injuries have their process.” Barca president said. Photo: AFP