The former Croatia international midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who is renowned for his time at Barcelona and Sevilla, has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37.
In an emotional farewell shared on social media on Monday, Rakitic expressed deep gratitude for his journey in the sport.
“Football, you gave me more than I ever dreamed of. You gave me friends, emotions, joy and tears,” he wrote. “Now it’s time to say goodbye. Because even if I walk away from you, I know you’ll never walk away from me. Thank you, football. For everything.”
Rakitic began his professional career at Swiss club FC Basel before moving to Germany’s Schalke 04. He gained international prominence with Spanish sides Sevilla and Barcelona, where he enjoyed some of the most successful years of his career.
He was instrumental in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign in 2015 and won the UEFA Europa League twice with Sevilla. On the international stage, Rakitic earned 106 caps for Croatia and played a key role in their historic run to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where they finished as runners-up to France.
Following a brief stint with Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab in 2023, Rakitic returned to his homeland for a final season with Hajduk Split, bringing his illustrious career to a close.
Rakitic leaves behind a legacy of elegance, consistency, and professionalism that spanned over two decades at the highest level of football.
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