Barcelona Treble Winner and Croatian Icon Ivan Rakitic Retires

Ivan Rakitic, one of Croatia’s most iconic midfielders and a treble winner with Barcelona, has officially hung up his boots at the age of 37. After a glittering career that spanned nearly two decades and saw him lift some of the biggest trophies in club football, Rakitic has chosen to step into a new chapter — this time off the pitch.

His retirement wasn’t announced by Rakitic himself but was confirmed by Hajduk Split manager Gonzalo Garcia. “Rakitic is ending his career,” Garcia told Dnevnika NoveTV. “He’s extremely intelligent, has good ideas and understands football very well. It’s a difficult time for him because transitioning from the locker room to the office isn’t easy. That’s what I call the dark side of football. But he called me, and in a way, he’s responsible for me being at Hajduk today.” 

Rakitic’s final season was with Hajduk Split in Croatia, where he managed two goals and five assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. While the numbers may not tell the full story, his influence and leadership at the club were unmistakable. And now, he’ll continue to contribute, taking up a technical role at Hajduk as assistant to new sporting director Goran Vucevic. 

The Croatian maestro's journey began in Switzerland, where he rose through the ranks at FC Basel. After impressing in the Swiss league, he moved to Germany with Schalke and then made his first stop in Spain with Sevilla. His performances there earned him a high-profile move to Barcelona in 2014 — a decision that turned out to be career-defining. 

At Barcelona, Rakitic became a central figure in one of the club’s most dominant eras. He played a crucial role in their 2014-15 treble-winning campaign under Luis Enrique, scoring in the Champions League final against Juventus. Over six seasons at Camp Nou, he lifted four La Liga titles, one Champions League, four Copa del Rey trophies, two Spanish Super Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup. 

In 2020, he made an emotional return to Sevilla before briefly heading to Saudi Arabia with Al-Shabab. That stint was followed by his return home to Croatia, where he joined Hajduk Split. Now retired from playing, Rakitic isn’t stepping away from the game. Instead, he’s preparing for life behind the scenes, helping guide Hajduk Split from a strategic and technical standpoint. While fans will miss his elegance on the pitch, there’s excitement about what he could bring in this next chapter. His football brain, passion, and deep understanding of the game could very well shape the club’s future.

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