FIFA World Cup 2018: 10 superstars who will not be playing for their country of birth

#4. Ivan Rakitic

Rakitic was born in Switzerland and plays for Croatia

Rakitic is part of an amazing Croatian midfield consisting of players like Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj and Marcelo Brozovic. However, he could have been playing for Switzerland at the World Cup.

The Barcelona man was born and raised in Switzerland to Croatian parents and he represented his country of birth up to the U21 level. However, he chose to play for Croatia at the senior level much to the annoyance of the Swiss football federation.

Rakitic admitted it was a difficult decision for him to make but he had to listen to his heart.

"I know it's not easy for them [Swiss football association]. 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, I had been playing for five-and-a-half years for Switzerland and went right through from the U15s to the U21s.I remember I had the opportunity to join the first team for two internationals, but something inside me said, 'Just wait a little bit longer.'

"It was a really hard moment for me. One part of me, my heart, really wanted to play for Croatia. All my family is from there and I had a real feeling of being Croatian."

He has gone on to play 91 games for Croatia at the senior level and has scored 14 goals from midfield.