Rakitic: I've only gone outside to throw out the trash which is 50 metres away

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the Spanish government has announced a series of restrictions on citizens' movements and Ivan Rakitic has made clear that he is following the guidelines.

The Croatia international has also revealed that he started preparing for a possible lockdown since Barcelona's away game against Napoli and hasn't even gone out for shopping.

"I have only gone outside to throw out the trash, which is 50 metres away and that's the only thing I have done on the street," he told Barcelona's official channels.

"Since the Napoli [game] I was already preparing for all this and I did quite a lot of shopping.

"I remember very well when we went to Naples to play the Champions League game and the issue had already started in Italy.

"I told the doctor that I wasn't confident about it and that it was going be much [worse].

"Now we have to all be together.

"Of course I would like to play sports on the street as it is better, or take a walk, but we have to understand that we need to do this."

Rakitic went on to reveal his daily routine since Barcelona asked their players to go into self-quarantine.

"Those of us who have children know that it is complicated," he said.

"We get up between 7:30 and 8:00, we are having breakfast and then we check the school assignments online.

"We are playing with them a little, preparing food, checking if they want a nap - always laughing a lot for the day to go better.

"We want to take advantage of our time together.

"We are teachers in the morning and play games in the afternoon."

Team trainings have been suspended and Rakitic is working at home under the remote guidance of a Barcelona fitness coach.

"I have a gym at home and my wife is also very hooked," he added.

"We go every day, some days in the morning and afternoon and the girls also enjoy it.

"We have set up as a game room in the gym and they can play and we can train.

"Each [Barcelona] fitness coach has a group of players that he works with.

"I am with Antonio and I ask him what we have to do, when we have to work harder on the treadmill and on the bike.

"We are in daily contact, they are very aware of everything and they have an answer."