Ivan Rakitic insists that the decision of Barcelona to release Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain was not a good one.
The Spanish vice-champions were cornered when the French presented a record-breaking €222 million offer as stated in the Brazilian's contract.
Despite Barcelona not having many other options, as the 25-year-old striker himself sought to leave, Rakitic did not like the way events unfolded.
"Personally, it was very hard for me not only because he is one of the best players. He is also a great person," the Croatian told BBC World Service.
"He was really important to our locker room and was one of the youngest guys I know in football."
"So, in my eyes, it was a really poor decision, because I wanted to have him in the team."
Neymar spent four years in the Barcelona ranks, playing 186 matches and scoring 105 goals. His replacement, Borussia Dortmund's talent Ousmane Dembele, has already arrived.
