The truth is revealed! The Barcelona legend ends, Rakitic tears are shed on the spot, the 37-year-old veteran is reluctant to leave the final battle

On May 19, 2025, a tear-jerking scene was staged in the green field of the Croatian League. The scene of 37-year-old midfielder Ivan Rakitic crying on the bench instantly bursting into social networks. The Croatian media "Sportske" then revealed the truth - the Barcelona triumphal meritorious service and the core of Croatia's golden generation has finally arrived at the moment to say goodbye to football. The next round of the league against Dynamo Zagreb is likely to be the "last dance" of his career.

Rakitic's football story is an inspirational example. Born in a Croatian immigrant family in Switzerland, when he was 15 years old, he even said "This child is too thin" when he was returned by Basel youth training. But the gear of fate began to rotate in 2007: he landed in Schalke 04 at the age of 20, joined Sevilla at the age of 25 and became the core. At the age of 26, he waited for a turning point in his life - in 2014, Barcelona signed him for 21 million euros, and since then he started the legendary chapter.

In 2015, Rakitic, Messi, Neymar and Suarez swept Europe. In the Champions League final against Juventus, it was his lightning-fire score of 284 seconds of the opening game that opened the door to victory for Barcelona. He played 90% of the game that season, escorting "MSN" with averaging 12 kilometers of running per game. "Without Rakitic, we would not win the triple crown." Enrique, then Barcelona coach, still sighed.

If the club's career is brilliant enough, the national team experience has made Rakitic a national hero. In the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he eliminated England with a high fever. He fought for 120 minutes in the finals. When Modric won the Golden Globes, fans shouted "The Magic Flute stands Rakitic." In his 12-year international career, he played 118 times, using 26 goals and countless key passes to explain what a "fighter out of the war" is.

After leaving European football in 2022, Rakitic "retirement" in the Saudi League for a year and chose to return to his parent team, Hayduke last summer. Everyone knows that this is the perfect ending for a veteran to bring his career.

This season, the 37-year-old veteran led the team to bite Dynamo Zagreb. Although only theoretical possibility remains to win the championship, the home game ended on May 18. When Rakitic on the bench heard the final whistle, the accumulated emotions finally broke down - the camera caught him wiping his tears with his jersey, and his wife in the stands was already crying.

According to Croatian reporters, Rakitic will enter the management of Haiduke after retirement. Looking back on his 22-year career, he has left behind 23 trophies including the Champions League, La Liga, Club World Cup, and European Super Cup, as well as national team honors such as the World Cup runner-up and the European League runner-up. Fans will not forget the No. 4, which is always running, and will not forget what he said in front of the camera: "As long as you can wear this jersey, it is worth it to shed the last drop of blood. "

When the final whistle really sounds, please remember this man who burned the whole youth for football. Goodbye, the perpetual motion machine on the court; goodbye, the eternal midfield artist. Your legend will always run on the green field.