Former Barça player and ex-Croatian international, Ivan Rakitic has put an end to his career at age 37, announced the midfielder on social media this Monday.
Ivan Rakitic announced this Monday his decision to end his professional career at the age of 37, after more than two decades at the top level. The former Croatian international posted a farewell letter on his social media to share his decision.
“Football, you have given me more than I could have ever dreamed. You gave me friends, emotions, joy, and tears,” he wrote. “It’s time to say goodbye. Because even if I’m leaving you, I know you won’t ever leave me. Thank you, football. For everything.”
Trained at FC Basel, Rakitic established himself at Schalke 04 before truly shining at Sevilla, where he won two Europa Leagues. He then moved to FC Barcelona, where he notably clinched a historic treble in 2015 (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League), becoming an crucial part of the Catalan midfield.
With the Croatian national team, he holds 106 appearances and was a major player in the team that reached the final of the 2018 World Cup, defeated by France (4-2) in Moscow. After a return to Sevilla, Rakitic ended his career with a brief stint at the Saudi club Al Shabab, before playing one last season with Hajduk Split, in his native country.