Retirement news: Ex-Barcelona midfielder powerhouse finally hangs his boots

Former Barcelona and Croatia star Ivan Rakitić has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37.

The midfield maestro confirmed the news with a poignant farewell video posted on Instagram, taking fans on a nostalgic journey through his career from the humble pitches of Mohlin, Switzerland, to the floodlit nights at Camp Nou and a World Cup final in Russia.

Rakitić’s story began at FC Basel, where a young boy with big dreams found his first professional opportunity. His move to Schalke 04 marked his entry into one of Europe’s top leagues, where he learned, adapted, and matured both on and off the pitch.

But it was at Sevilla FC where Rakitić’s career truly flourished. Describing the Andalusian club as “a home,” he reminisced about the joys of captaincy, lifting his first European trophy, and most importantly, meeting the woman who would become his wife.

The former Barcelona star, whose career spanned nearly two decades and graced some of the biggest stages in world football said, “Dear football, you’ve been a part of my life from the very first day."

He continued, “From the pitches of Mohlin to the biggest stadiums in the world, you were always there. That’s where I met the love of my life. Thanks to you, I found my partner, the mother of my daughters.”

The crowning chapter of his career came at FC Barcelona, where Rakitić became part of a legendary squad featuring the likes of Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Luis Suárez.

In his six-year spell at Camp Nou, he won it all, La Liga, Copa del Rey, the UEFA Champions League, and more, making 310 appearances and scoring 35 goals.

“You made me live a dream I wouldn’t have dared to imagine. I played alongside the best, lifted trophies, and lived magical nights at Camp Nou," he said.

After returning to Sevilla to “close the circle,” Rakitić also ventured to Saudi Arabia with Al Shabab, and finally fulfilled a childhood wish by playing for Hajduk Split in Croatia.

On the international stage, his legacy is equally monumental. With 106 caps for Croatia, Rakitić was instrumental in the team’s historic run to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where they finished runners-up to France. He described the journey as “an eternal moment, a gift to an entire nation.”