Croatian · Möhlin, Switzerland · Born 10 March 1988Croatian midfielder who reached the 2018 World Cup final and won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, known for his technical ability.
Ivan Rakitić scored the crucial second goal in Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League Final victory over Juventus in 2015, then reached a World Cup Final with Croatia in 2018 — two of the biggest matches in European football across a four-year span, and the defining chapter in a career built on reliability that more celebrated players sacrificed for flair. He developed at Basel and Schalke before Sevilla produced his breakout years in Spain. Barcelona paid £14 million for him in 2014. His six Barcelona seasons produced four La Liga titles and the 2015 Champions League — he scored the crucial second goal in the Champions League Final against Juventus. He reached the World Cup Final with Croatia in 2018 alongside Modrić. He represented Croatia 106 times. His combination of range passing, defensive discipline and composure in Barcelona's possession system made him one of the most reliable midfield presences in European football across his peak years. He was valued precisely for the consistency and professionalism that more celebrated players sacrificed for individual brilliance. He returned to Sevilla in 2020 and won the Europa League in his final professional seasons. His Croatian World Cup run with Modrić is the defining international chapter of his career.
Key player in Croatia's run to 2018 World Cup final
How They Played
Box-to-box midfielder with excellent passing range and work rate
Lasting Impact
Versatile midfielder who excelled at highest level for club and country
Career Honours
- Champions League (2015)
- La Liga 4x
- Copa del Rey 5x
- World Cup runner-up (Croatia 2018)
- Champions League 2015
- Europa League 2014
- La Liga 2015
- La Liga 2016
- La Liga 2018
- La Liga 2019
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nordstern Basel | 2004–2004 | — | 0 | 0 |
| FC Basel II | 2005–2006 | — | 21 | 9 |
| FC Basel | 2005–2007 | — | 34 | 11 |
| Schalke 04 | 2007–2011 | — | 97 | 12 |
| Sevilla | 2011–2014 | — | 117 | 25 |
| Barcelona | 2014–2020 | £14m | 200 | 25 |
| Sevilla | 2020–2024 | — | 121 | 11 |
| Al-Shabab | 2024–2024 | — | 8 | 1 |
| Hajduk Split | 2024–2025 | — | 35 | 2 |
 Croatia | — | — | 106 | 15 |
Croatian Athletes