Rakitic has had a long and illustrious career, playing 887 official matches for top clubs such as FC Basel, Sevilla, FC Barcelona, Hajduk Split, and Al-Shabab. He recently shared a video on YouTube, thanking football for the lifelong friendships, valuable lessons, his family, and the opportunity to pursue his dreams.
During his time in Spain, Rakitic played 633 games for Sevilla and Barcelona, scoring 86 goals and making 105 assists. He also played 39 matches for Hajduk Split last season, scoring 2 goals and making 5 assists. In 2015, Rakitic was named Croatia's Footballer of the Year after helping Barcelona win the Champions League, which remains the most successful period of his career.
Sevilla and FC Barcelona have both paid tribute to Rakitic, acknowledging his contributions to the sport. Sevilla expressed their appreciation for Rakitic's dedication, wishing him well in his future endeavors. FC Barcelona also honored Rakitic with a tweet featuring a photo of him with the trophies he won during his time with the club.
As Rakitic embarks on this new chapter, football fans around the world will miss his iconic style and passion for the sport.