Imagine this: an unlit Camp Nou, a Champions League night, Lionel Messi receiving the ball with his back turned, spinning in a single fluid motion, and delivering that surgical pass only he can see.

Who’s the recipient? Ivan Rakitic.

A first-touch control, a crisp shot, and a stunning goal.

Cheers erupt, embraces and smiles all around, and a football partnership that, while often overlooked, was crucial during one of Barcelona’s golden eras.

Today, that partnership comes to an end because Ivan Rakitic has hung up his boots.

In his farewell, he did not forget the greatest—he did not forget Messi.

At 37, Rakitic announced his retirement from professional football with a heartfelt video that not only moves but reveals how deeply football has meant to those who truly lived it.

In his open letter, written with his heart on his sleeve, he thanked football for everything: the joys, the triumphs, the friendships.

When he spoke about Barcelona, he was straightforward.

“I played with the best, lifted trophies, lived magical nights at Camp Nou.

You gave me the privilege of being part of your history, and of course, among those best was Messi.

Who else?”

Rakitic was not a flashy number 10 nor a rugged defensive midfielder.

He was a modern midfielder, blending craft and class.

He joined Barça in 2014 and left in 2020.

Six years, 310 matches, 36 goals, 13 titles, but above all, consistency that earned the respect of all—even in a team where the spotlight always shone on Messi, Neymar, and Suárez.

Yet there he was, always a starter, always dependable, always important.

How many times did you see him thread a perfect pass to Leo or cover his back when Messi launched into one of those epic runs?
He didn’t need to shine himself—Rakitic was the kind who made others shine.

But his career wasn’t limited to Barça.

In Sevilla, he was an idol; in Croatia, a legend.

He was part of that golden generation that made history in 2018, reaching a World Cup final few expected.

He played over 100 matches for his country.

He was European champion with Sevilla and even in Saudi Arabia, where many seek a comfortable retirement, he tried to keep competing.

But all things come to an end, and his came now—with a brave, elegant decision, in his own way.

Here comes something worth pondering: why did he choose to mention Messi in his farewell?
Because it’s not just about trophies but about what it meant to be part of that team with the number 10.

Because even for an elite footballer, sharing the pitch with Messi is more than a stat—it’s a privilege.

It’s part of his legacy.

Rakitic understood and valued that, which speaks volumes about his intelligence beyond any through ball.

When we talk about legends, not everything is measured in goals or Ballon d’Ors.

We also have to see who made the team better, who understood their role, and who was always up to the task.

In that sense, Rakitic was the perfect partner for Messi.

He didn’t challenge him, didn’t eclipse him—he enhanced him.

How many stars have done that? Few.

And here’s something important: in times when many players choose showmanship, likes, or scandal, seeing someone say goodbye with humility, acknowledging the value of teammates, and truly giving thanks moves us deeply.

Because Ivan didn’t leave as a fleeting star; he left as a craftsman of talent, someone who knew when to say enough, and even in his last act chose Messi as part of his story.

Now, I ask you simply: do you think Rakitic is one of the most underrated greats of his generation or was he properly valued? And how important do you think that partnership with Messi was in Barcelona’s recent history?

I’m waiting for your comments because I want to know your opinion.

And if you enjoyed this look back at a career full of football, emotions, and respect, don’t forget to leave a like and subscribe to the channel, because here, in this corner where football is told with soul, the stories never end.

In my opinion, Ivan Rakitic said farewell to football as he lived his career: with respect, composure, without unnecessary noise, but leaving an indelible mark.

In an era marked by dazzling stars and loud declarations, the departure of a player like him—refined, cerebral, often underestimated—is a reminder that football is also built by those who understand their place, their role, and the value of consistency.

Rakitic was never daily front-page news, never stirred controversy, never needed to sell an image—playing well was enough.

And play well he did.

His retirement isn’t a surprise, but it strikes a special chord because we talk about a player who was everywhere, who knew how to be captain in Sevilla, a key cog in Barcelona’s multi-championship machine, a World Cup runner-up with Croatia, a symbol of transition between two generations.

And yet, when many list the great names of his time, he’s sometimes forgotten.

But maybe that’s part of his greatness.

He never needed to claim the spotlight.

His gift was understanding the game, interpreting it, being the piece that doesn’t shine alone but without which the puzzle falls apart.

His farewell letter contains phrases that sting with sincerity and transparency.

“I played with the best,” he said.

And you understand he didn’t say it lightly.

Because yes, Rakitic played with Messi, and that marked his career—not as dependence, but as partnership.

Messi doesn’t need pawns; he needs interpreters—and Rakitic was one of the few.

That ability to know when to yield, when to hold, when to cover the 10’s back speaks of a tactical understanding rarely recognized.

At Barcelona, he wasn’t the marketing darling nor the top jersey seller, but he was one of the most functional players.

He scored in a Champions League final.

Played decisive matches.

Endured unfair criticism when the team faltered and never cried to the press.

He responded on the pitch with silence, professionalism, and a talent many, due to prejudice or ignorance, never fully appreciated.

In Croatia, he was a symbol of a historic generation—not only for reaching the 2018 World Cup final but for what he represented in midfield alongside Modric.

A duo blending elegance, effort, and a game reading rarely seen in less globally dominant teams.

What they achieved in Russia was more than a runner-up finish; it was a statement of character from a small country with huge players—and there he was again, quietly delivering.

We could talk numbers: 887 matches, 125 goals, 141 assists, 17 titles.

But if we analyze only quantitatively, we lose the essence.

Because what made Rakitic great wasn’t his stats but his way of being, adapting, never seeking the spotlight but accepting the challenge whenever called upon.

That’s a virtue few value but inside the locker room is pure gold.

Now he leaves, perhaps without the massive tribute he deserves, but with the respect of the entire football world.

And that respect is worth more than any trophy.

Because when a guy like Rakitic retires and even Messi is mentioned between the lines in his farewell, it means he left a mark, he was up to the task, he understood that football is not just talent but emotional intelligence, collective commitment, and humility.

In times when egos abound, Rakitic is a living lesson on how to be a star without shouting it.

He leaves quietly but with a standing ovation, because football—the true football—is also built by men like him.