Ivan Rakitic has said that Barcelona are desperate to win the Champions League this season after watching bitter rivals Real Madrid win the competition in each of the last three years.

The Blaugrana reclaimed the Spanish title last term, and have also won the Copa del Rey in each of the last four campaigns.

The Catalan giants have not lifted the Champions League trophy since 2015, however, and were dumped out of the competition in the quarter-finals by Roma last term.

Rakitic has revealed that Barcelona's "big aim is to win the Champions League" this season.

"It is time Barcelona returns to European glory. Our big aim is to win Champions League," Rakitic told Novi list.

Rakitic was strongly linked with a move away from Camp Nou during the summer transfer window, but recently revealed that he will soon sign a new contract with the Spanish champions.

Barcelona will open their 2018-19 Champions League Group B campaign with a home game against PSV Eindhoven on September 18.