Rakitic’s time at Barça, in ‘4’ moments
Six seasons at Barça, 13 titles and 310 games. Fantastic numbers, those of Ivan Rakitic, who is now saying goodbye to Barça with great memories and good times. In honour of his number, the ‘4’, we review them:
His first day as a Barça player
On June 16, 2014, FC Barcelona officially announced that the club and Sevilla had reached an agreement for the transfer of Ivan Rakitic. He wasn't presented, however, until July 1, when Croatia's participation in the World Cup in Brazil ended. So that was the first day of a six-year career that has been very successful.
At his presentation, and after taking a number as symbolic as the '4', the Croatian acknowledged that, having won the Europa League with Sevilla, he arrived at the Camp Nou "wanting more" and that he wanted to "be part of Barça's history.”
He's ended up doing just that because Rakitic has proved to be a successful signing, key to the successes he has achieved since arriving at the club.
His best goal
In fact, he was clearly the protagonist in one match: the Champions League final in Berlin in 2015. That night against Juventus, the Croatian opened the scoring in a final (3-1) that would end with Barça raising the trophy for the fifth time in the club's history, and celebrating a second treble of LaLiga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
"I signed for Barça to experience moments like this. This goal is the most important of my career," he said after the final. Years later, and recalling that day, he added: “That moment cannot be explained. I wanted to hug the whole stadium, not just the three team-mates next to me. I wanted to open my arms, grab everyone… I got goosebumps."
The goal in Berlin, however, wasn't Rakitic's only special one. He scored 36 at Barça and provided 40 assists, and highlights include, among others, the goal against Tottenham at Wembley (2-4) in 2018 and the important goal he scored at the Bernabéu in a league match, also in the 2018/19 season (0-1) .
Foreigner with fourth most matches for Barça
The Croatian can boast of having played a total of 310 games for Barça. Figures that, for a foreign player, are historic. In fact, there are only three players who are ahead of him: Messi (731), Alves (391) and Mascherano (334).
13 titles
Ivan Rakitic says goodbye to Barça with a superb record. Since arriving at the Camp Nou, he has won 13 titles: Four Leagues (2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18 and 2018/19), one Champions League (2014/15), four Copas del Rey (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 ), a Club World Cup (2015/16), a European Super Cup (2015/16) and two Spanish Super Cups (2016/17 and 2018/19).
That is all the possible titles he aspired to win on July 1, 2014, when he was presented as an FC Barcelona player. A successful stage that now closes, but that leaves great memories.