MOSCOW, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The World Cup may kick off in just three days, but that doesn't mean that the players have totally forgotten the domestic competitions they have left behind or the rivalries they will return to when the final whistle blows in Russia.

FC Barcelona's Croatian international midfielder Ivan Rakitic has clearly been keeping an eye on events in Spain, where the press is full of stories predicting Cristiano Ronaldo could be on the verge of leaving Real Madrid. Speaking to Spanish sports paper Marca, he explained further.

"I find it hard to believe that he (Ronaldo) would go," said Rakitic in an interview published on Monday, "however," he said. "Things change quickly in football, he's the player who makes the difference at Real Madrid and if he does go, then I am not going to lie. I'd be the first person who would be happy," he added.

Rakitic also spoke of Zinedine Zidane's decision to resign as Real Madrid coach in the wake of the club's third consecutive Champions League success.

"He's chosen his moment and you have to take your hat off to him. He has taken Real Madrid to an impressive level that few others could have done," said the midfielder.

Rakitic is almost certain to be in the side when Croatia begin their World Cup campaign against Nigeria in Kaliningrad on June 16th, while Ronaldo's Portugal will face Spain in Sochi 24 hours earlier.