Ivan Rakitić has announced his retirement at the age of 37. After spending his final seasons playing in the Saudi Pro League and back in Croatia, he has decided to hang up his boots, bringing an end to a brilliant career that included spells at Schalke 04, Sevilla, and FC Barcelona.

Arrival in Barcelona

The Croatian joined Barça in the summer of 2014 from Sevilla. Combining hard work, talent, and commitment, he quickly adapted to the demands of the Barça midfield and became part of a generation that conquered Europe.

 

In his first season, under the guidance of Luis Enrique, he was a key figure in the club’s historic treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League. In the final in Berlin against Juventus, it was Rakitić who opened the scoring, a goal that remains etched in the collective memory of Barça fans.

 

Stunning stats

Over his six seasons in a Barça shirt (2014–2020), Rakitić played a total of 310 competitive matches, scoring 36 goals. His trophy haul includes 4 La Liga titles, 4 Copas del Rey, 1 Champions League, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, and 2 Spanish Super Cups. Beyond the statistics, he stood out for his tactical intelligence, work ethic, and flawless understanding with players like Messi, Busquets, Iniesta and Suárez.

Ivan Rakitić will be remembered as a modern legend at FC Barcelona, an all-round midfielder who put his talent at the service of the team and helped shape one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.

 

Força Barça