Overview
- Ivan Rakitic announced his retirement from professional football at age 37 after concluding his club career with Hajduk Split following a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al Shabab.
- Sevilla marked his departure by sharing highlights from his 323 appearances and two UEFA Europa League titles at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
- Barcelona paid tribute with a photo of Rakitić surrounded by the 13 trophies he won in Catalonia, including four LaLiga crowns, four Copas del Rey and the 2015 Champions League.
- The Croatia international earned 106 caps before retiring from national duty in 2019, having started in the 2018 World Cup final defeat to France.
- In his farewell message, Rakitić praised football for giving him “victories, defeats, lessons and friends for life” and said he looks forward to enjoying the game from a new perspective.