Ivan Rakitic has now officially confirmed that he is ending his playing career. It was previously announced that the former Croatian international will take on a new role at Hajduk Split: he will become the assistant to technical director Goran Vucevic.
Ivan Rakitic has officially brought an end to his illustrious playing career. The 37-year-old midfielder confirmed the news via Instagram on Monday afternoon, closing a chapter that spanned nearly two decades and included appearances for some of the biggest clubs in European football.
While speculation had been circulating in recent days, the confirmation marks the end of an era for one of Croatia’s most influential footballers.
Rakitic spent the 2023/24 season at Hajduk Split, where he had hoped to finish his playing career on a meaningful note in his parents’ homeland. Despite a brief stint, his influence at the Croatian giants was immediately felt not only on the pitch, but in the dressing room and among younger players. It had already been reported that he would transition into a leadership role at the club following his retirement, and now it’s official: Rakitic will become the assistant to Hajduk’s technical director, Goran Vucevic, marking the beginning of his post-playing career in football management.
The announcement had been alluded to days earlier by Hajduk head coach Gonzalo García, who worked closely with Rakitic during the midfielder's final season. García, a former coach of FC Twente and ex-player for Dutch clubs including FC Groningen, SC Heerenveen, and Heracles Almelo, praised Rakitic’s intelligence and character. “Rakitic is going to retire,” García said in a recent interview with the Croatian press. “He’s a smart person, has good ideas, and understands everything. He’s in a difficult phase right now, because it’s not easy to go from wearing football gear to putting on a suit. But he’s more than ready for this transition. He’s one of the reasons I’m here today.”
Rakitic’s career began in Switzerland, the country of his birth, where he came through the youth ranks at FC Basel. From there, he moved to the Bundesliga to join Schalke 04, quickly establishing himself as one of the most technically gifted young midfielders in Europe. However, it was his time in Spain that truly elevated him to elite status. In two spells at Sevilla the first from 2011 to 2014 and the second from 2020 to 2023 Rakitic became a club legend. He captained the team to UEFA Europa League glory in 2014 and was widely admired for his vision, leadership, and consistency.
His performances at Sevilla earned him a high-profile move to FC Barcelona, where he played from 2014 to 2020. During his time at Camp Nou, Rakitic formed part of one of the most dominant sides in football history. He made 310 official appearances for the Catalan giants, winning four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey trophies, and the UEFA Champions League in 2015, where he scored in the final against Juventus.
On the international stage, Rakitic was an integral part of the Croatian national team during its golden generation. He earned 106 caps and scored 15 goals for his country, featuring in multiple European Championships and World Cups. His crowning achievement came in 2018 when Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time in their history. Rakitic was pivotal throughout the tournament, notably scoring the decisive penalties in shootouts against Denmark and Russia. Though Croatia ultimately fell to France in the final, Rakitic’s performances were hailed as among the best of the competition.
Following his spell at Barcelona, Rakitic returned to Sevilla before making a brief move to Saudi club Al-Shabab in 2024. That chapter proved short-lived, and he joined Hajduk Split soon after, fulfilling a long-held desire to play in Croatia. Although he did not win silverware with Hajduk, his experience and professionalism were seen as invaluable to the squad.
Now stepping into a new role off the pitch, Rakitic is expected to use his vast experience and deep football knowledge to help guide Hajduk Split’s sporting direction. Working alongside Goran Vucevic, he will be involved in scouting, player development, and strategic planning potentially setting the stage for a future role as a head coach or sporting director.
For many fans, Rakitic’s retirement is bittersweet the end of a remarkable playing journey, but the beginning of what promises to be an equally impactful second career in football. As one of the most respected midfielders of his generation, his legacy is secure both in Croatia and across Europe.
