Ivan Rakitic, the former Sevilla FC midfielder, clarified his stance on the long-standing rivalry with Real Betis during an appearance at the annual meeting of the Federación de Peñas Sevillistas in Matalascañas.
Addressing supporters, the former player emphasized his deep personal connection to Sevilla while rejecting the label of being anti-Betis.
“I am not anti-Betis or anything, what I am is very much a Sevillista,” Rakitic said. The event, which serves as a traditional gathering for Sevilla’s official supporters’ clubs, provided a platform for the former captain to reflect on his career and the upcoming derby match scheduled for the 21 at the Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.
Despite the intensity of the matches between the two Seville-based clubs, Rakitic maintained that his competitiveness does not translate into hostility. He said that he has frequently attended matches at La Cartuja, including recent LaLiga fixtures, and holds personal friendships with current Betis players such as Marc Bartra and Isco.
“I want to make it very clear that I am not anti-Betis; what I am is very, very Sevillista,” Rakitic said. He recalled several high-profile moments from his time with Sevilla, including a two-goal performance at the Estadio Benito Villamarín shortly after his wedding and his participation in the historic “Euroderbi” encounters.
Reflecting on the current state of the Sevilla squad under manager Luis García Plaza, Rakitic expressed optimism regarding the team’s recent trajectory. He praised the collective effort of the club’s leadership, from the president and sporting director to the players, noting a clear sense of direction in recent weeks.
“The team is coming off weeks of very important, very good matches, growing in each encounter,” Rakitic said. He expressed his hope that the squad can maintain this momentum when they face Real Betis, characterizing the upcoming derby as a challenging but essential opportunity to make a statement in the league table.
Following his move to join DAZN España as a football analyst for the 2026-27 season, Rakitic is also focusing on his long-term professional development. He confirmed he is currently pursuing credentials through UEFA-backed programs, though he remains cautious about immediate plans for a return to a management or administrative role at Sevilla.
“I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it and I haven’t spoken to anyone,” Rakitic said regarding his future potential for a front-office position. “Everything I do has to happen naturally. I am focusing a lot on UEFA right now; I have done several master’s degrees with them, and step by step, everything has to come about by itself.”
He emphasized that he intends to follow a standard professional progression rather than using his status as a former player to bypass necessary training. “I don’t want to be rushed into it just because it’s me. I have several friends with a lot of experience who explain things to me. I want to feel it from the inside, but taking all the steps, without skipping any,” he said.
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