Latest news with #Rakitic
Qatar Tribune
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Ex-Barcelona and Croatian star Ivan Rakitic retires at the age of 37
LondoncTypeface:> Former Barcelona and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has announced his 37-year-old made 106 appearances for his country and was part of the team which reached the 2018 World Cup final. He was a Champions League winner with Barcelona in 2015, and won Europa League titles in 2014 and 2023 in separate stints at Sevilla. Rakitic also won four Spanish top-flight titles with Barça. In a video letter posted on Instagram, which began 'Dear football', he said: 'You gave me friends, emotions, joy, and tears. You gave me a whole life, a life I'll always carry with pride. '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.' Born in Switzerland to Croatian parents, he broke through at Basel before moving on to German side Schalke in 2007. He joined Sevilla in 2014 before moving on to achieve his greatest glories at Barcelona. He returned to the Andalusian club for four years from 2020 before stints at Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia and with Croatian side Hajduk Split. (PA Media/dpa)
Mint
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Ivan Rakitic, former Barcelona, Croatia midfielder announces retirement at 37
Ivan Rakitic, one of the most celebrated midfielders, announced his retirement from professional football on Monday (July 7) at the age of 37. The Croatian star, known for his illustrious career at FC Barcelona and Sevilla, shared an emotional message via social media, reflecting on a career that spanned nearly two decades. 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.
News18
07-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Ivan Rakitic Announces Retirement From Football; Barcelona, Sevilla Honor Croatian
Last Updated: Ivan Rakitic, ex-Croatia international, retired at 37. He won 16 trophies with Barcelona and played 106 times for Croatia, including the 2018 World Cup final. Former Croatia international Ivan Rakitic, best known for his illustrious spells with Sevilla and Barcelona, officially announced his retirement from football on Monday at the age of 37. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Rakitic reflected on his journey through 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." Sevilla and Barcelona Pay Tribute Rakitic's former clubs were quick to honour his career. Sevilla, where he made 323 appearances, scoring 53 goals and delivering 63 assists, shared highlights of his tenure at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. The Croatian midfielder played a key role in the club's two UEFA Europa League triumphs. Barcelona also paid tribute, posting a photo of Rakitic surrounded by the trophies he won in Catalonia. 'Football will miss you, Ivan. We wish you all the best in this new chapter of your life," read the club's message. Internationally, Rakitic earned 106 caps for Croatia and was a starter in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where his team finished runners-up to France. He concluded his career with brief stints at Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab and Croatian club Hajduk Split.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Ivan Rakitic retires —Croatia legend and a treble winner with Barcelona announces retirement
Croatia legend and former treble winner with Barcelona Ivan Rakitic announced his retirement from professional football on Monday at the age of 37. The former Sevilla midfielder took to social media to announce the news. Rakitic started his career from Basel's youth setup in Switzerland, and went on to play for the senior team before shifting base to Schalke. He moved to Sevilla in La Liga before Barcelona decided to sign him in 2014. Six years later, he returned to Sevilla before a brief spell at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, which was followed by a return to his homeland with Hajduk Split. Last season, he recorded two goals and five assists across 39 matches across all competitions. In his illustrious career, he has won four La Liga, one Champions League, one Super Cup, four Copa del Rey, two Spanish Super Cup, one German Cup, one Swiss Cup, and one FIFA Cup World Cup.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Official: Barcelona icon announces retirement from football
Former Barcelona midfielder and club icon Ivan Rakitic has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37. The Croatian ace took to Instagram to confirm his decision as he posted a farewell video with a message. Advertisement In the video, the former midfielder said: 'Dear football, you've been a part of my life from the very first day. 'From the pitches of Mohlin, my hometown in Switzerland, to the biggest stadiums in the world, you were always there. 'You gave me my first opportunity at FC Basel. I was just a kid, but you made me believe that anything was possible. And that was only the beginning. 'At Schalke 04, I grew with you. It was my first time away from home, and I learned to face new challenges, new cultures, and new lessons. You made me stronger, and that growth opened new doors.' 'That's how I arrived at Sevilla FC. And there, I experienced something different. You gave me so much more, you gave me a home. I had the honor of being captain, of lifting my first European trophy, and most importantly, that's where I met the love of my life.' 'Thanks to you, I found my partner, the mother of my daughters. And just when I thought I had lived it all, you surprised me again. Then came Barça.' 'You made me live a dream I wouldn't have dared to imagine. I played alongside the best, lifted trophies, and lived magical nights at Camp Nou. You gave me the privilege of becoming a part of your history. 'But you didn't stop there. You let me return to Sevilla to close the circle, to say thank you, to feel at home once again… and to win again. Talking about his stint in the Middle East, Rakitic wrote: 'When I least expected it, you took me to a new place with a new rhythm and a new way of experiencing you – Al Shabab. It was a special and proud chapter, where I made lifelong friends. Advertisement 'And as if you knew how much it meant to me, you gave me one last unforgettable chapter. Returning to my roots, playing for the first time in Croatia, representing Hajduk Split… It was an experience I'll carry with me forever. 'But above all, you gave me the greatest honor of all. Wearing my country's jersey. Representing Croatia. For a small country like ours, reaching the World Cup final is more than just a sporting achievement, it was an eternal moment, a gift to an entire nation.' 'Football, you gave me more than I ever dreamed of. You gave me friends, emotions, joy, and tears. You gave me a whole life, a life I'll carry with pride. 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.' Rakitic spent six years at Barcelona between 2014 and 2020. During that period, he made 310 appearances for the club, scoring 35 goals. He won four La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, two Spanish Super Cups, and four Copa del Rey titles. Advertisement Barça themselves posted a message on social media following Rakitic's announcement, which read as follows. 'Football will miss you, Ivan. We wish you the best in this new stage of your life.' Farewell, legend!
