The former Croatia international confirmed his retirement at age 37 with a heartfelt message posted on social media on Monday, expressing gratitude for the sport that shaped his life both on and off the pitch.
“Football, you gave me more than I could ever imagine,” Rakitić wrote. “You gave me victories, defeats, lessons and friends for life. You gave me a unique path and a thousand stories to tell.”
Though his final playing days were spent back in Croatia with Hajduk Split following a stint in Saudi Arabia with Al Shabab, Rakitić’s reputation was forged at some of Europe’s top clubs, including Schalke 04, Sevilla, and Barcelona.
Born in Switzerland to Croatian parents, Rakitić began his professional journey at FC Basel before moving to Germany in 2007 to join Schalke. Four years later, he transferred to Sevilla, a move that would prove pivotal both professionally and personally. In Andalusia, he found not only success on the pitch but also met his future wife, describing Sevilla as his “second home” in his farewell post.
“My daughter was born in that city and I won my first major title,” he reflected. “We cried together and celebrated with passion. Sevilla is eternal.” During his time with the club, he lifted two UEFA Europa League trophies, helping re-establish Sevilla’s reputation as a European force.
But it was at Barcelona where Rakitić truly made his mark on the global stage. After signing in 2014, he enjoyed six glittering years at Camp Nou, winning 13 major trophies. His haul included four LaLiga titles, four Copa del Rey triumphs, and the 2015 UEFA Champions League, where he famously scored in the final against Juventus.
“Barcelona gave me everything,” he said in his farewell note. “It’s the club of my dreams. I achieved all my goals there, playing with the best players in the world and winning everything as a team.”
Internationally, Rakitić was just as influential. He earned 106 caps for Croatia between 2007 and 2019, memorably helping lead the team to its first-ever FIFA World Cup final in 2018. Though Croatia ultimately fell to France, their run captured the hearts of millions and cemented Rakitić’s status as one of the nation’s greatest players.
“With Croatia, we made history,” he wrote. “From our first game together in 2007 to the 2018 World Cup Final, where we made millions dream and feel proud of their roots. Sharing a dressing room with my national teammates has been one of the greatest gifts of my career.”
As he steps away from the field, Rakitić hinted that his love for the game remains undimmed. “Now it is time to enjoy you from another perspective,” he wrote, suggesting he’ll continue to support football “from the stands, from the offices, from home, or wherever life takes me.”
Rakitić’s retirement marks the end of an era for one of football’s most reliable and skillful midfielders—a player who combined elegance with work rate, and whose career was defined as much by loyalty and love for the game as by his silverware-laden resume.