Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has admitted that he is in awe of his "miraculous" teammate Lionel Messi.
The Croatia international is preparing for his first season at Camp Nou following a summer switch from Sevilla, and Rakitic says that he is equally as impressed with the Argentine's humility as his talent.
"I trained a few times with Leo because he joined the team later due to the World Cup," he told 24sata.
"Sometimes in training I stop and watch him, he is miraculous. I admire him and I learn from him.
"He impresses me with everything he does. He behaves normally, as if he isn't such a big star."
The Blaugrana get their La Liga campaign underway by hosting Elche in Catalunya on August 24.
