Ivan Rakitić, previously a midfielder for Barcelona and Croatia, has declared his retirement from professional football at age 37.
Rakitić was most recently playing for Hajduk Split in his native Croatia after a short stint with Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.
“Football, you gave me more than I could ever imagine,” he shared in a social media post announcing his decision to retire.
“You gave me victories, defeats, lessons, and friends for life. You gave me a unique path and a thousand stories to tell. You gave me a beautiful family and moments that I will carry forever in my heart.
“Now it is time to enjoy you from another perspective, to live you with the same passion, with a always grateful heart, from the stands, from the offices, from home, or wherever life takes me.”
Born in Switzerland to Croatian parents, Rakitić began his career at FC Basel before transferring to Schalke 04 in Germany in 2007.
After four years, he joined Sevilla in 2011, where he met his now wife, marking the start of two spells with the Spanish club, which were separated by six highly successful years at Barcelona.
During his time at Barça, he secured 13 trophies, including four La Liga titles, four Copas del Rey, and one Champions League.
He also achieved significant success with Croatia, earning 106 caps before retiring from international football in 2019, a year after reaching the World Cup final with his nation, where they were defeated by France.
At Sevilla, he claimed two UEFA Europa League titles.
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