RAKITIC CHOOSES CROATIA

Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has had that he faced the most difficult decision of his life when he chose Croatia as his national team over Switzerland.

Rakitic has revealed that he took a long time to make the decision. The midfielder recently completed his switch to Sevilla from German club Schalke, citing the fact that Schalke no longr compete for the league as the main reason - the latest Bundesliga betting doesn't suggest they wll improve this season.

The Sevilla midfielder was born and brought up in Switzerland, but decided to play for Croatia on account of his parents nationality. Even though he does not regret the decision, he has said that it was the toughest he has taken in his life.

Ivan Rakitic represented Switzerland up to the under 21 level, but decided to change his allegiance in favour of Croatia at the last moment. It was a decision that annoyed the Swiss football Association.

The decision to play for Croatia was taken after considering the fact that his family’s allegiance was still with Croatia rather than Switzerland.

Even though Ivan Rakitic had numerous friends in Switzerland and he started playing his football in Switzerland, he chose his family's links in the end. Ivan Rakitic will be playing at the Euro 2012 with Croatia. The opening match for the team will be up against Republic of Ireland Football team.

"Your heart wants to be in one place but your head is thinking something different that may be even better for you. I said to everyone who had helped me there, 'Thank you very much for everything. I know it's not easy for them. They spent a lot of money to develop me and to help me on my way. But in the end I had to listen to my heart. It was the hardest moment for me,” said Ivan Rakitic on his decision to choose Croatia. Ivan Rakitic will be a key figure in the Croatia Football team at the Euro 2012.