Ivan Rakitic, Sevilla FC's newest signing ahead of the 2020/21 season, landed this evening in the Andalusian capital and posed for photos at San Pablo Airport. The Croatian international then spoke to the club's official media for the first time since his return to the club, after leaving in 2014: "I'm very happy and excited to return home. I'm also very grateful for how everything turned out, it was how we wanted it".
"Football evolves quickly and sometimes my return seemed closer, but it was always my top priority. With the relationship I have with Monchi I have always been aware of everything, aware of everything that happens and I have always had all the information, apart from the fact that I like it. I am very excited, I can't know how many times we've played the anthem at home since it became official. The neighbours have to sing it too. Finally the day has arrived", continued Rakitic.
"I'm joining a champion. You can expect maximum commitment from me"
He also joked about his celebration after the team won the UEFA Europa League for the sixth time: "When I threw myself into the pool I was only celebrating the title like another Sevillista. There were no other thoughts, just the joy of what the team had won. We like the fans to feel as close as possible to us and I felt like another fan. They were very exciting matches and it was a great joy. The dip in the pool came in handy because I sweated a lot".
The Croatian also spoke about his arrival at the club: "The situation is different to how I arrived nine years ago, above all because of the team's situation and the atmosphere. I'm joining a champion, fortunately I know what that means. I was able to be the first foreign captain since Maradona and this season I want to convey to my teammates and my family, which is what they are, that this is still the case. There is great potential, they work in an impressive way, with a great manager and coaching staff. You can expect maximum commitment from me and there aren't enough hours in the day for me to want to do everything I have in mind. It's not just joining like that, I want to help the club, my colleagues and the fans to take the next step".
"We want to take the next step both in LaLiga and the Champions League, without more pressure than necessary, but by knowing where we want to go"
Rakitic once again showed great ambition with his arrival in Nervión: "With all due respect, the sixth is already ours and we love it like no one else, but we want to take the next step both in LaLiga and the Champions League. We know what all this means, but we don't want to put more pressure on ourselves than necessary, but we do know in which direction we want to go. I'm very keen to start".
He also had praise for the captain, Jesús Navas: "Jesús can't surprise us. The tie he has with the club and with everyone speaks for itself. The quality he has is incredible, he seems quicker now than when he started. Age is just a number, but you learn a lot during all this time. He looks after himself well and football gives that back to you. I wish I could go the same way as him".
"I've come back to make history for many more days"
The Croatian spoke about his excitement to be back: "What I'm most excited about is wearing the badge, even if it's the training gear, wearing it on top. Then I hope to be able to walk out onto the Sánchez-Pizjuán on the right and then the day-to-day, arriving at the training ground, chatting with people at the supermarket, etc. I want to start working as hard as I can and achieve the objectives".
The central midfielder also spoke about a phrase he said before a derby: "I remember it like it was yesterday, the phrase "it's our stadium, it's our city". There are moments that stay with you for your whole life. It came from within me, it wasn't prepared. Being able to transmit it in that way to everyone who loves Sevilla FC, it's impressive. I've come back for that, to keep making history for many more days".
"I know José is watching me and he's happy for me. A lot of this is for him"
The Croatian brought the interview to a close by speaking about his friend, José Antonio Reyes: "The day everything was completed would have been his birthday. These are moments where there are too many words. We all know what José meant for us and to those who like football. He had a special talent, which was getting on well with everyone. I know he's watching me and that he's happy for me. I wish I could see him happy and a lot of this is for him, of course".
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