MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 01:46:27| >> :120:10356:10356:

Ivan Rakitic: 'I am not Xavi'

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic insists that he is a different player to teammate Xavi.

Ivan Rakitic has insisted that he is a different player to Barcelona legend Xavi.

Rakitic, who arrived at the Camp Nou from Sevilla this summer, has been picked out as the individual to replace Xavi when the long-serving midfielder eventually hangs up his boots.

However, the Croatian has played down comparisons with the La Masia graduate.

"It's nice that people are saying that I am the successor of Xavi but I'm Rakitic. Replacements for such a great player like Xavi don't exist," he told Sportske Novosti.

"I can't wait to start the league. We worked a lot [in pre-season] and I hope that this will show on the field. Barcelona are powerful again. I always wanted to join Barcelona. It was my desire."

Barcelona open their La Liga season at home to Elche on Sunday.

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Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on September 14, 2013
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2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
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16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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