Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez play LUDO with Barcelona team-mates instead of going out partying
Ivan Rakitic reveals secret lives of La Liga champions... and it's more board games than glamour
THE secret behind-closed-doors lives of Barcelona’s star-studded squad have been revealed – and it’s more fun and games than glitz and glamour.
Icons such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez love nothing more than to get involved with a spot of Ludo during away trips, according to team-mate Ivan Rakitic.
The La Liga champions, managed by Luis Enrique, may boast some of the planet’s greatest and wealthiest players, but it appears it is the simple things that keep the magic ticking over and the harmony among the group strong away from the pitch.
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And the competitive nature within the Nou Camp set-up means that the Barca boys often spend hours in each other’s company, instead of retreating to their bedrooms.
Croatian international Rakitic told : “When we travel, we always play Ludo and joke with each other afterwards.
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“Pepe Costa, Messi, Suarez and [Javier] Mascherano are in one team, [Andres] Iniesta, [Sergio] Busquets, [Jordi] Alba and me are a second team.
“It started during [Pep] Guardiola's last season, it is fun, better than putting your earphones on and isolating from friends on a bus or plane.
“Recently we travelled to Qatar and spent six hours playing that game!"
And despite the reputation some footballers are labelled with, Rakitic insists he and his team-mates often shun the glamorous party opportunities presented to them for a more quiet, family life.
The 28-year-old added: “I know people think a footballer’s life is all glamour, crazy parties... but recently Suarez invited me to his 30th birthday, and it was the same as if any of you invited me: we bought him presents, sat down, had a dinner, conversation, had some fun and that is it.
“The majority of players at Barca, including Messi, Suarez and me, are family people and avoid parties and bars.”