Former Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic has announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.
Rakitic, who starred for Barcelona and Sevilla, shared an emotional farewell on social media. “Football, you gave me more than I ever dreamed of. You gave me friends, emotions, joy and tears,” he wrote. “Now it’s time to say goodbye. Because even if I walk away from you, I know you’ll never walk away from me. Thank you, football. For everything.”
He earned 106 caps for Croatia, featured in the 2018 World Cup final, and won major trophies in Spain and Europe.