Rakitić Retires: Barça and Croatia Legend Hangs Up His Boots

Ivan Rakitić Hangs Up His Boots: A Farewell to a Football Legend

The talented Croatian-Swiss midfielder, Ivan Rakitić, has announced his retirement from professional football. The news marks the end of an outstanding career full of successes and memorable moments in the world of soccer. Rakitić, known for his game vision and passing accuracy, last played for Hajduk Split, after a brief stint in the Saudi Professional League with Al Shabab.

Football gave me more than I could ever imagine. It gave me victories, defeats, lessons, and friends for life. It gave me a unique path and a thousand stories to tell. It gave me a beautiful family and moments that I will always carry in my heart.

Ivan Rakitić

Rakitić, born in Switzerland to Croatian parents, began his career at FC Basel before joining Schalke 04 in 2007. After four years, he moved to Sevilla in 2011, where he met his current wife and where he began his successful career in Spanish football.

His time at Barcelona was especially fruitful, where he won 13 titles, including four LaLiga titles, four Copa del Rey titles and one Champions League. Internationally, Rakitić also left his mark with the Croatian national team, playing 106 matches and reaching the World Cup final in 2018. With Sevilla, Rakitić won two UEFA Europa League titles. Ivan Rakitić’s legacy in football is undeniable, and his retirement marks the end of an era for the sport.