Barcelona's Croatian metronome — Champions League winner and World Cup finalist.
Ivan Rakitić was born in Möhlin, Switzerland in 1988 to Croatian parents. 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.
Champions League (2015)
Career Honours
- Champions League (2015)
- La Liga 4x
- Copa del Rey 5x
- World Cup runner-up (Croatia 2018)