Ivan Rakitic Claims He'll Get A Tattoo On His Forehead If Croatia Win The World Cup

Before the following statement I was a neutral going into tomorrow's World Cup final, but after Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic promised to get a tattoo on his forehead if his country win against France on Sunday, my opinions have somewhat changed.

In a powerful press conference before Sunday's big game, Rakitic spoke of how he would sacrifice the rest of his career for his country to win the competition while also suggesting that 'hundreds of millions' of people will be rooting for Zlatko Dalic's side, tomorrow afternoon.

But perhaps the most dramatic quote ahead of the match is that outrageous tattoo claim when asked if he is planning a new tattoo if Croatia are crowned world champions.

"Will I have a tattoo after the World Cup final? I have some free space on my forehead." he said. "God willing, we win, then I'll have a tattoo there. But first I'll ask my wife."

Barcelona midfielder Rakitic then spoke deeply about the team's unity and togetherness, claiming that the team have a special bond. It certainly makes you think that they can make a huge push for the win against Didier Deschamps' team.

"You need only to look at the footage from Croatia to see what's been going on over the past month - the joy felt by the people there. Joy, togetherness unity, pride. I think all of us deserve this. It doesn't just concern the 23 players, coaching staff and backroom staff, but the 4.5m people back home. If there was a stadium big enough for 4.5m people, it would be full.

"I'm not trying to say these feelings are superior to the ones the French have for France or Russians have for Russia. We have this special bond. When you put the sacred Croatia shirt on you become another person.

"We have this togetherness, this unique unity - not just in football. We are exceptional in tennis, handball, basketball, water polo. If we were to hold a tournament in ping pong all of us would be rooting for that single player. This is something all of us have in us, and it will be in us to the very last moment."

Can Rakitic and his Croatian teammates cause one of the shocks of the tournament on Sunday afternoon?

Let us know in the comments below.

Topics: Football News, Football, Croatia, Ivan Rakitic, World Cup, France, Tattoo

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_