Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic insists he enjoyed playing with Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

Rakitic was responding to claims from former Barca coach Quique Setien that Messi was "difficult to manage".

The Croatian, who left Barca over the summer, said: "I always got along very well with him. He was one of the first to ask me if I needed anything when I arrived.

"Messi must be treated differently. His level is different from the rest of the players and they have to deal with him differently because he has the ability to make a difference.

"We do not know if in the future we will have the chance to see a player like Messi again."