Ivan Rakitic Exclusive: Croatia's secret sauce, Modric’s influence, Barca's Messi era, advice for USMNT players (Soccer 9/11)

Call It What You Want: A CBS Sports Golazo Network Podcast

CBS Sports, USMNT, U.S. Soccer, MLS, World Cup, UCL, Americans Abroad

September 11, 20251 hr 2 min
Soccer

Ivan Rakitic Exclusive: Croatia's secret sauce, Modric’s influence, Barca's Messi era, advice for USMNT players (Soccer 9/11)

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Episode Notes

Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola welcome in Croatian legend and Hajduk Split Technical Director Ivan Rakitic for an unmissable conversation. Ivan opens up about his illustrious playing career (2:50), Croatia’s World Cup magic (08:37), choosing between two national teams (15:52), and his time at Barcelona during the Messi era (19:54). Ivan reflects on playing alongside Jermaine Jones at Schalke (24:28), offers advice for the USMNT ahead of next year's World Cup (28:20), explains what Christian Pulisic can learn from Luka Modric (35:02), and reveals his all-time favorite teammates (38:15). The guys then turn the spotlight back on the USMNT following the September window. Mauricio Pochettino wants all the smoke (42:53), where Tim Ream should play (54:12), and the Gold Cup drama is finally in the rearview (59:40).

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