Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 7: Former Barcelona and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37, closing the curtain on a stellar career that spanned nearly two decades.
In an emotional farewell letter, Rakitic wrote:
"Football, you gave me more than I could ever imagine. You gave me victories, defeats, lessons, and friends for life… Now it is time to enjoy you from another perspective… from the stands, from the offices, from home, or wherever life takes me."
Rakitic, who began his career with Nordstern Basel and FC Basel, rose to prominence with Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga before making his mark at Sevilla. However, his most celebrated years came during his time at FC Barcelona, where he joined in 2014 and quickly became a key component of a golden generation.
In his debut season at Barcelona under Luis Enrique, Rakitic played a pivotal role in the club’s historic treble — winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. He etched his name in club folklore by scoring the opening goal in the Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin.
Over six seasons at Barcelona, Rakitic made 310 appearances, scored 36 goals, and won numerous trophies:
• 4 La Liga titles
• 4 Copas del Rey
• 1 UEFA Champions League
• 1 FIFA Club World Cup
• 1 UEFA Super Cup
• 2 Spanish Super Cups
Renowned for his tactical intelligence, technical skill, and ability to seamlessly blend with legends like Messi, Iniesta, Busquets, and Suárez, Rakitic left an indelible mark on the club.
After returning to Sevilla, he later took his talents to the Saudi Pro League and eventually Hajduk Split in Croatia, where he concluded his playing career.
Internationally, Rakitic was an integral part of the Croatian national team, notably helping them reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup final. His legacy remains as one of Croatia’s most accomplished midfielders and one of Europe’s most respected footballers of his generation.