September 11, 2025
Ivan Rakitic Exclusive: Croatia's secret sauce, Modric’s influence, Barca's Messi era, advice for USMNT players (Soccer 9/11)
Call It What You Want: A CBS Sports Golazo Network PodcastAbout this episode
Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola welcome in Croatian legend and Hajduk Split Technical Director Ivan Rakitic for an unmissable conversation. Ivan opens up about his illustrious playing career (2:50), Croatia’s World Cup magic (08:37), choosing between two national teams (15:52), and his time at Barcelona during the Messi era (19:54). Ivan reflects on playing alongside Jermaine Jones at Schalke (24:28), offers advice for the USMNT ahead of next year's World Cup (28:20), explains what Christian Pulisic can learn from Luka Modric (35:02), and reveals his all-time favorite teammates (38:15). The guys then turn the spotlight back on the USMNT following the September window. Mauricio Pochettino wants all the smoke (42:53), where Tim Ream should play (54:12), and the Gold Cup drama is finally in the rearview (59:40). Call It What You Want is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow the Call It What You Want team on X: @JimmyConrad , @CharlieDavies9 , @TMeola1 Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest in sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos for betting on soccer . For more soccer coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ You can also watch Call It What You Want on the CBS Sports Golazo Network for free on connected TVs and mobile devices through the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and on CBSSports.com as well as Paramount+ . Watch UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, EFL, Serie A, Coppa Italia, CONCACAF Nations League , NWSL, Scottish Premiership, Brasileiro, Argentine Primera División, AFC Champion League by subscribing to Paramount+ Sign up to the Golazo newsletter , your ultimate guide to the Beautiful Game as our experts take you beyond the pitch and around the globe with news that matters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices