Ivan Rakitic is ending his career as an active footballer. The former Barca star announces this with emotional farewell words.
Ivan Rakitic is hanging up his football boots. The Croat announced his retirement on Monday at the age of 37.
“You have given me a whole life, a life that I will always be proud of. Now it’s time to say goodbye. Thank you, football,” wrote the long-time star of FC Barcelona, who collected numerous titles in his active career.
With the Catalans, he won the Champions League in 2015 and became Spanish champion and cup winner four times each. During his time at Schalke 04, he won the DFB-Pokal (2011). He was also successful at FC Sevilla, where he went through two spells, and was able to win the Europa League twice (2014, 2023). Most recently, he was active in his home country with Hajduk Split.
Rakitic Chooses Emotional Farewell Words
But he was also extremely successful with the national team. With the Croatian national team, the midfield strategist became vice world champion in 2018, and in 2022 he finished third in the World Cup with the team.
Ivan Rakitic has ended his career
He said an emotional farewell to the sport. “You have been a part of my life since day one. From the football pitches in Möhlin, my hometown in Switzerland, to the biggest stadiums in the world – you have always been there. Football, you have given me more than I could have ever dreamed of. You have given me joy and tears,” Rakitic was grateful for his career, which he had started in Switzerland at FC Basel.