Ivan Rakitic Bids Farewell to Football: “You Gave Me More Than I Ever Dreamed Of”
Ivan Rakitic has officially hung up his boots. At 37, the Croatian midfield maestro has called time on a glittering career that spanned over two decades, countless trophies, magical European nights, and a World Cup final.
On Monday, Rakitic took to Instagram to announce his retirement from professional football. But this wasn’t just any announcement. It was a heartfelt, beautifully written letter to the game that gave him everything and in return, he gave it his all.
From humble beginnings in Switzerland to lifting the Champions League with Barcelona and inspiring a nation in Russia, Rakitic’s journey reads like a football fairytale. And now, it’s come full circle.
Here’s his emotional goodbye, in full:
Dear Football,
You have been part of my life since day one. From the fields of Möhlin, my hometown in Switzerland, to the biggest stadiums in the world-you were always there. You gave me my first opportunity at FC Basel. I was just a kid, but you made me believe that anything was possible, and that was only the beginning.
At Schalke 04, I grew with you. For the first time, I was far from home. I learned to face new challenges, new cultures, new lessons. You made me stronger, and that growth opened other doors for me.
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That’s how I arrived at Sevilla FC, and there I experienced something different. You gave me so much more. You gave me a home. I had the honor of being captain, of lifting my first European trophy. And most importantly, it was there, thanks to you, that I met the love of my life. I found my partner, the mother of my daughters. I built my family.
And just when I thought I had lived it all, you surprised me once again. Then came Barça. You made me live a dream I didn’t even dare to imagine. I played alongside the best. I lifted trophies. I experienced magical nights at Camp Nou. You gave me the privilege of being part of your history.
But you didn’t stop there. You let me return to Sevilla to close the circle, to say thank you, to feel at home once more, and to win again. When I least expected it, you took me somewhere new, with a different pace, another way of experiencing you, Al-Shabab. It was a special and proud chapter, where I made lifelong friends.
And as if you knew what it meant to me, you gave me one last unforgettable chapter. Returning to my roots, playing for the first time in Croatia, representing Hajduk Split, it was an experience I will cherish forever.
But above all, you gave me the greatest honor: wearing the jersey of my country. Representing Croatia. For a small country like ours, reaching a World Cup final was more than a sporting achievement, it was an eternal moment, a gift for an entire nation.
Football, you gave me more than I ever dreamed of. You gave me friends, emotions, joy, tears. You gave me an entire life-a life I will always carry with pride. Now it’s time for me to say goodbye. Because even if I step away from you, I know you will never leave me.
Thank you, football.
From Basel to Barcelona, from Möhlin to Moscow, from his first kick to his last pass, Rakitic did it with class. And now, he walks away with a heart full of memories and a legacy that’s etched into football history.
Danke, Ivan. Gracias. Hvala. Or just simply thank you, maestro.
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