Ivan Rakitic, former Barcelona, Croatia midfielder announces retirement at 37
Born in Switzerland to Croatian parents, Ivan Rakitic began his professional career at FC Basel, where he showcased his talent. His move to Schalke 04 in 2007 marked his ascent in European football, but it was in Spain where he truly came into the limelight.
After joining Sevilla in 2011 for €2.5 million, Rakitic became a star, captaining the team and leading them to the 2014 Europa League title. His performances earned him a €18 million transfer to FC Barcelona in 2014, where he would achieve the pinnacle of his career.
Rakitic's six seasons at Barcelona (2014–2020) were remarkable. Under coach Luis Enrique, he played a significant role in the club's historic 2015 treble, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.
His opening goal in the Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin remains a defining moment for Barca fans.
'Then came Barca. You made me live a dream I wouldn't even have dared to imagine,' Rakitic wrote in his heartfelt retirement message, reflecting on playing alongside legends like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Andrés Iniesta.
Over his time at Barcelona, Rakitic made 310 appearances, scored 36 goals, and won 13 trophies, including four La Liga titles and four Copa del Reys.
After leaving Barcelona in 2020, Rakitic returned to Sevilla, where he added another Europa League title in 2023. His final seasons saw him play for Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League and Hajduk Split in his native Croatia, fulfilling a personal dream.
'Football, you gave me more than I could ever imagine,' he wrote, expressing gratitude for a career that included 17 trophies across his clubs.
Rakitic's contributions extended to the international stage, where he earned 106 caps for Croatia and played a key role in their 2018 World Cup final run. Though he retired from international football in 2019, his legacy with the national team remains strong.
Following his announcement, FC Barcelona posted, 'Football will miss you, Ivan. We wish you all the best in this new chapter of your life.' Sevilla also honored their former captain, highlighting his 323 appearances and 53 goals for the club.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
24 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Chelsea beats Fluminense to reach final; Joao Pedro scores twice vs. boyhood team
João Pedro scored twice against his boyhood team in his first start for Chelsea, leading the Blues over Fluminense 2-0 Tuesday (July 9, 2025) to assure an all-European Club World Cup final. A 23-year-old who had been at Fluminense from about age 10 until leaving for Watford in 2020, João Pedro scored in the 18th and 56th minutes and refused to celebrate either goal in a sign of respect for his former club. He joined Chelsea from Brighton on July 2. Seeking its second world championship, Chelsea advanced to Sunday's title match against the winner of Wednesday's game between European champion Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. CHELSEA ARE GOING TO THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP FINAL!! 🏆 @FIFACWC@ — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 8, 2025 European teams will win their 12th straight Club World Cup title and 17th in 18 tries, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea, which won in 2021. Fluminense was initially awarded a first-half penalty kick but it was taken away in a video review. Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo injured his left ankle in second-half stoppage time. Ticket prices slashed A crowd of 70,556 was 10-15% short of capacity at MetLife Stadium, where it was 93 degrees (34 Celsius) at kickoff with humidity that made it feel like 104 (40). FIFA cut ticket prices from $473.90 to $13.40 last week. Chelsea went ahead after German Cano lost the ball to João Pedro, and he poked it to Pedro Neto, who dribbled down a flank and crossed. An attempted clearance went to João Pedro, who curled a 20-yard shot inside the far post. João Pedro took two steps to start to celebrate, then stopped and clasped his hands. Chelsea doubled the lead after Facundo Bernal lost the ball just outside the Blues' penalty area to Pedro Neto, who poked the ball to Cole Palmer. He beat three challenges and dished off to Enzo Fernández, who side-footed a pass to João Pedro. He cut around Ignácio and scored off the underside of the crossbar. Marc Cucurella cleared Hércules' shot off the line in the 27th and French referee François Letexier awarded a penalty kick in the 35th minute when René's free kick struck the left arm of defender Trevoh Chalobah. Letexier reversed his decision in a video review, concluding Chalobah's arm was in a natural position. Letexier reversing his PK decision at the recommendation of Colombian video assistant referee Nicolas Gallo. Chelsea has earned $88,435,000 to $103,815,000 for reaching the final, the amount depending on a participation fee FIFA has not disclosed. 'When I was young, I didn't have nothing, They gave everything to me.' — João Pedro on Fluminense. 'We depart with our heads held high.' — Fluminense coach Renato Gaúcho.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Fulton stresses on playing abroad in build-up to WC, Oly
With the Indian men's hockey team losing seven successive matches during the recent European leg of the Pro League, coach Craig Fulton expectedly termed the performance "disappointing" during a virtual press meet on Tuesday. However, he is already looking to the future and can't wait to see the India 'A' team play in Europe and get accustomed to playing outside India considering the upcoming major events — the World Cup and the Olympics — will be held abroad. The team, coached by Shivendra Singh, who is also the assistant coach of the Indian men's hockey team, and led by Sanjay, began their campaign on Tuesday against Ireland and will play seven more matches during the tour. They will face Ireland again on Wednesday before playing twice against France and the Netherlands and once against England and Belgium. While they will play seven matches at Hockey Club Oranje-Rood in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, they will face off against Belgium at Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp, Belgium. "Although we're not playing at the tournament venue, it's just away from India. That's really important because it's quite easy for an Indian team to play in India. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Are you 18-79 with no funeral insurance? Talk to NZ Seniors today NZ Seniors Get Quote Undo by Taboola by Taboola There everything's on a plate for them. The support is phenomenal," Fulton said in a virtual interaction from the Netherlands. "How an Indian team performs away from home is the true mark of how the programme is set up and how successful it is. So we're trying to do a lot of games outside India for that exact reason, so that they don't have the full support in all the build-up games." The India 'A' tour is even more crucial because the coach has a unique challenge on his hands — to prepare the team for the World Cup and the Asian Games that will be held just three weeks apart next year. "It's a massive challenge, so we are trying to build depth within the positions. As we go in the next three, six, nine months, we'll have a better idea on where we need back up. But once we start to play games and once we qualify, we'll know what we really need," the coach said. "But the key is that the India 'A' team keeps playing games and these younger players get the opportunity. And I think it'll benefit hockey India in the long run immensely." Moreover, the coach also wants to have someone in the team who will be able to compliment Harmanpreet Singh, as far as penalty corners are concerned and 'A' team players Amandeep Lakra, Sanjay, Varun and Rajinder Singh will all be looking to cement that spot. "We'll be monitoring them and seeing how they approach the PCs. It's a challenge replacing Harman, but we're not replacing him now, that's for sure. But at the same time we have to find someone to compliment him and we can also have some variations," added the coach.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Joao Pedro tallies twice to lead Chelsea into CWC final over Fluminense
João Pedro scored a brace against his boyhood club in his first start for his new team, leading Chelsea into the FIFA Club World Cup final with a 2-0 semifinal victory over Fluminense on Tuesday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J. Joao Pedro tallies twice to lead Chelsea into CWC final over Fluminense The 23-year-old declined to celebrate either emphatic tally in just his second appearance for the Blues, one that propelled the London side into their second major international final in three months. After winning the UEFA Europa Conference League final 4-1 over Real Betis on May 28 in Wroclaw, Poland, Chelsea on Sunday will face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Both those matches are also in New Jersey. Fluminense of Rio de Janeiro is the final non-European team to be eliminated in a tournament where all four Brazilian entrants reached the knockout phase, including two that reached the quarterfinals. After previously appearing in the 2023 final of the Club World Cup's previous, smaller format, their return was prevented by one of their own. Pedro came up through Fluminense's youth academy, but after 25 appearances in the Brazilian top flight in 2019 was off to England to play first with Watford and then Brighton and Hove Albion. Then this summer, he made a move to Chelsea for a reported $82 million transfer fee. He debuted off the bench in Chelsea's second-round win over Palmeiras last Friday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in his first start Tuesday required only 18 minutes to put his former club behind. He created the attack himself, winning the ball back quickly in midfield and quickly playing Pedro Neto down the right. Neto's low cross into the box was cleared only as far as João Pedro at the edge of the box, where he took two quick touches before bending a brilliant right-footed finish beyond Fábio and into the top right corner. The finish on his second score in the 56th minute was even better. After reaching Enzo Fernández's outlet ball down the left, João Pedro dribbled into the left side of the box, cut back across one Fluminense defender to improve his shooting angle, then fired in another ferocious strike that caught the underside of the crossbar on its way into Fábio's goal. Between those tallies, Fluminense saw two crucial chances break against them later in the first half. In the 26th minute, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella slid to clear Hércules' effort off the goal line with Robert Sánchez beaten. In the 36th, referee Francois Letexier overruled his own penalty decision following a video review, deciding after consulting replay that Trevoh Chalobah's arm had been in a natural position next to his body. Field Level Media This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
