Ivan Rakitić Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Ivan Rakitić is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a central or attacking midfielder. Rakitić is widely regarded as one of the best Croatian players of his generation, known for his vision, passing, creativity, and ability to control midfield play.
He has had an illustrious club career, representing famous teams like Schalke 04, Sevilla, and Barcelona. Rakitić also had a trophy-laden international career with Croatia, leading them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.
This article explores Rakitić’s biography, net worth, age, playing career, records, family, achievements, and personal relationships.
What is Ivan Rakitić’s Net Worth and Salary?
According to multiple reports, Ivan Rakitić’s net worth is estimated to be $90 Million as of 2023. His annual salary at his peak at Barcelona was $8.5 Million.
During his career, Rakitić earned lucrative contracts at big clubs like Sevilla, Barcelona, and Sevilla. His trophy-laden career and consistency allowed him to become one of the richest Croatian footballers in history.<div class=”table-wrap”>
Year | Club | Salary |
---|---|---|
2007–2011 | Schalke 04 | $1.5 Million |
2011–2014 | Sevilla | $2.5 Million |
2014–2020 | Barcelona | $8.5 Million |
2020–2021 | Sevilla | $5.5 Million |
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Based on his net worth, Rakitić earned on average around $12 Million per year during the peak of his career.
How old is Ivan Rakitić?
Ivan Rakitić is currently 35 years old. He was born on March 10, 1988, in Möhlin, Switzerland.
Rakitić started playing professional football at the age of 18 for FC Basel in 2005. He had a long and successful career for the next 16 years before announcing his retirement at the age of 33 in 2021.
Ivan Rakitić’s Early Life and Family
Ivan Rakitić was born in Switzerland to Croatian parents – father Luka and mother Kata. His father was working as a construction worker in Switzerland during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s.
Rakitić has two siblings – brother Dejan and sister Raquel. His entire family moved back to Croatia when Ivan was young. He grew up in Sikirevci village in the region of Slavonia.
Rakitić met his wife Raquel Mauri while playing for Sevilla in Spain. They married in 2013 and have two daughters – Althea and Adara. The family currently resides in Seville, Spain.
Ivan Rakitić’s Playing Career
Early Career at Basel, Schalke 04
Rakitić started his professional career with Swiss club Basel at age 18 in 2005. He led them to the Swiss Cup and Swiss Super League titles in his debut season. His playmaking skills were evident from the very start.
In 2007, he transferred to renowned Bundesliga side Schalke 04. Although Schalke never won any titles during his stint, Rakitić established himself as an intelligent midfield orchestrator in the German top division.
Rakitić’s Breakout Years at Sevilla
Sevilla signed Rakitić for just $2.5 Million in 2011 – which proved to be an absolute bargain over the next three years. Playing as an attacking midfielder, Rakitić was instrumental in leading them to Europa League titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
His excellent technique, vision, passing range, and midfield leadership helped transform Sevilla into a European force. He registered 34 goals and 41 assists in 149 games across competitions.
Barcelona Years and Historic Treble
FC Barcelona signed Rakitić for $20 Million in 2014 to bolster their midfield. Rakitić reached new heights at Camp Nou, winning nearly every trophy possible in his first year. This included the historic treble of La Liga, Copa Del Rey and UEFA Champions League.
Overall, Rakitić won 13 major trophies at Barcelona – including four La Liga titles and one Champions League trophy. Rakitić became a key midfield cog that facilitated Barcelona’s quick, possession-based passing style at their peak. He scored 36 goals in 310 games for the club.<div class=”table-wrap”>
Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Trophies |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014-15 | 53 | 8 | 17 | Treble (La Liga, Copa Del Rey, UCL) |
2015-16 | 53 | 5 | 16 | La Liga, Copa Del Rey, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup |
2016-17 | 60 | 10 | 13 | Copa Del Rey |
2017-18 | 55 | 6 | 8 | La Liga, Copa Del Rey |
2018-19 | 54 | 5 | 14 | La Liga |
2019-20 | 31 | 1 | 5 | – |
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Rakitić left Barcelona with legendary status – having led them during one of their most successful eras in history.
Final Years at Sevilla and Retirement
Rakitić returned to Sevilla FC in 2020 for one final season aged 32. Although not as prolific as his first stint, he helped Sevilla win the UEFA Europa League one final time in 2021.
In June 2021, Rakitić announced his retirement from professional football at 33 years old – ending his legendary club career on a high note.
Ivan Rakitić’s International Career
Rakitić chose to represent Croatia at the international level and made his debut in 2007 against Estonia aged 19.
He was a part of the Croatian squad that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 and impressed with his tireless work rate, passing range and ability to control games from midfield.
World Cup 2018 – Golden Generation Peaks with Historic Run
Rakitić played a starring role as Croatia marched to the World Cup 2018 finals led by Luka Modric and an experienced Golden Generation. They first topped a difficult group also featuring Argentina and Nigeria.
He scored a decisive penalty in the Round of 16 shootout victory against Denmark. In the quarterfinals against hosts Russia, Rakitić once again converted a penalty in the shootout to send Croatia through to the semis.
Croatia dispatched England in extra time to reach their first ever World Cup final against France. Although Croatia ended up losing 4-2, Rakitić produced a man of the match performance in midfield against the likes of Pogba and Kante.
In six games, Rakitić had 1 goal, 2 assists and was the metronome that kept Croatia’s possession-based system ticking. The 2018 World Cup run remains the highlight of his international career.
Euro 2020 and Retirement
At Euro 2020, Rakitić played in all four games as Croatia were disappointingly eliminated from their group. Between 2007 to 2021, Rakitić made 106 appearances and scored 15 goals for Croatia – making him one of their most capped players ever.
He retired from international duty in 2021 as well, shortly after the Euros. Rakitić ended his Croatia career as a living legend and their greatest ever central midfielder.
Ivan Rakitić’s Playing Style and Characteristics
Prime Ivan Rakitić established himself as one of the best multifunctional central midfielders in the world at his peak. He was an extremely well-rounded player that could contribute effectively in every phase of play.
Playmaking Ability
Rakitić’s biggest strength was his playmaking ability from the center of the pitch. He had excellent vision and could deliver pinpoint long balls, defense-splitting through passes, clever flicks around the box, and accurate crosses from wide positions.
As the deeper-lying playmaker at Sevilla and Croatia, and alongside creators like Xavi, Iniesta at Barcelona, Rakitić assumed the role of the midfield metronome. He set the tempo of his team’s passing moves and launched wave after wave of attack.
Defensive Work Rate
Despite his slight frame, Rakitić was also willing to track back and put in important tackle and interceptions. His work rate and aggressiveness allowed him to win back possession for his teams higher up the pitch to kick start attacks.
At Barcelona, Rakitić perfectly complemented more creative midfielders like Iniesta by doing a lot of the dirty work like pressing, winning duels and covering ground across the middle third.
Leadership and Consistency
Rakitić demonstrated immense leadership qualities at both club and international level. He stepped up through adversity during Croatia’s impressive World Cup 2018 campaign and led them to the final from midfield.