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Ivan Rakitić

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Ivan Rakitić
Rakitić playing for Sevilla in 2014
Personal information
Full name Ivan Rakitić
Date of birth (1988-03-10) 10 March 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Möhlin, Switzerland
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Barcelona
Number 4
Youth career
1992–1995 FC Möhlin-Riburg
1995–2005 FC Basel
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 FC Basel 34 (11)
2007–2011 Schalke 04 97 (12)
2011–2014 Sevilla 117 (27)
2014– Barcelona 0 (0)
International career‡
2006–2007 Switzerland U21 4 (1)
2009 Croatia U21 4 (2)
2007– Croatia 65 (9)
Medal record
FC Basel
Runner-up Swiss Super League 2006
Runner-up Swiss Super League 2007
Winner Swiss Cup 2007
Schalke 04
Runner-up DFB Liga-Pokal 2007
Runner-up Bundesliga 2010
Runner-up DFL-Supercup 2010
Sevilla FC
Winner UEFA Europa League 2014
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16 June 2014
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23 June 2014

Ivan Rakitić (born 10 March 1988) is a Croatian footballer who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Croatian national team, as a central or attacking midfielder.

Rakitić started his professional career at FC Basel and spent two seasons with them before he was signed by Schalke 04. After spending three and a half seasons in the German Bundesliga, he was signed by Sevilla in January 2011. Two years later, Rakitić was confirmed as the club captain and captained the team to UEFA Europa League triumph. In June 2014, Barcelona and Sevilla reached an agreement on the transfer of Rakitić.

On the international level, Rakitić plays for the Croatia national team. Although naturally a product of Switzerland's youth level, Rakitić pledged his international career to his native parentage of Croatia instead. He made his debut for Croatia in 2007 and has since represented the country at UEFA Euro 2008, UEFA Euro 2012 and 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Rakitić was born in Möhlin in the Swiss canton of Aargau to a Croatian family. His father, Luka, and his family are originally from Sikirevci, while his mother's family are Bosnian Croats from Žepče.[1] He has a brother Dejan, and has a tattoo supporting him with the word "Dejan" on his right arm.[2] Rakitić spent his childhood and early career in Switzerland. His father and older brother were also footballers. With such a background, it was no surprise when Rakitić took a strong interest in the same aspirations, even as he was completing his primary school studies. Subsequent to doing so, he began to concentrate on his sporting career, with his family's encouragement. At age 16, he was noticed by top European scouts who acclaimed his young potential, although he and his family decided to stay in Basel to allow him to play more regularly in a smaller league instead.[2]

Club career

Basel

After spending some short time in the youth teams, Rakitić went on to make his first-team debut for Basel on 29 September 2005 during the UEFA Cup away match at Široki Brijeg. He made his first Swiss Super League appearance on 15 April 2006 in Basel's away match against Neuchâtel Xamax. Although these two matches were the only ones he played during his first professional season with Basel, he went on to establish himself as a regular contributor in his second season, scoring 11 goals in 33 Super League appearances. Also making nine UEFA cup appearances during this time, he was named the best young player of the 2006–07 Super League season along with receiving the Swiss Goal of the Year award for an impressive goal he scored against St Gallen.[3]

Schalke 04

Rakitić with Schalke 04, in 2010.

After an impressive showing as a teenager, Rakitić was again acclaimed by large European clubs who expressed interest in his young ability.[2] Subject to such, he was eventually signed by German side Schalke 04 on 22 June 2007, for €5 million.

He made his debut for Schalke on 21 July 2007 in the Premiere Ligapokal fixture against Karlsruher SC, and eventually appeared in the remaining two matches as Schalke finished runners-up. On 5 August 2007, Rakitić scored his first competitive goal for his new club in their 9–0 away win over Eintracht Trier in the first round of the German Cup.[citation needed]

On 10 August 2007, the new Bundesliga season was commenced with a clash between champions Stuttgart and Schalke. Rakitić came on as a second half substitute and scored his first Bundesliga goal within just seven minutes on the field, as his side eventually contracted a 2–2 draw.[4] On 15 September 2007, he managed to make impressions again by scoring the only goal for Schalke in their 1–1 away draw at Bayern Munich.[5] Three days later, Rakitić made his Champions League debut in the 1–0 home defeat to Valencia. He then went on to make a total of seven appearances in the 2007–08 Champions League season,[6] including a strong and very impressive midfield role in Schalke's home fixture against Chelsea in the group stage. He and current teammate Mladen Krstajić were temporarily cut from the squad the night before Schalke's next fixture against Rosenborg due to being caught skipping training and taking part in a late night partying.[7] Helping his side prevail in the penalty shootout against Porto to reach the quarter finals for the first time,[8] Rakitić had to miss both the fixtures of such against Chelsea due to an ankle injury sustained in training. He was kept out of action for a month[9] as Schalke were eliminated from the tournament without him. Shortly upon his returning from injury, Rakitić discovered top form as he scored a goal and assisted another two in the vital 3–0 victory at Bochum,[10] which made sure Schalke finished at least third in league table and secured a place in the next Champions League. He continued such form in the next fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt, assisting Mladen Krstajić for the only goal of the match to conclude with Schalke a positive home season. In total, he finished his first Bundesliga season with three goals and ten assists in 29 appearances.[11] The subsequent season started well for Rakitić as he played in Schalke's 3–0 victory over Hannover 96, assisting two goals in the opening fixture.[12]

Sevilla

2010–11 season

On 28 January 2011, Rakitić signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Spanish club Sevilla FC, for a fee of €2.5 million.[13] Upon his arrival, Rakitić was immediately included in the starting eleven of the team, making his debut on 6 February 2011 against Málaga CF. In next game against Racing de Santander he scored an own-goal, but managed to get back on the track and scored his first goal for Sevilla in the match against Hércules CF in the next round. Due to a fractured foot, Rakitić had to miss the last four La Liga fixtures. He scored five goals in his first half-season with Sevilla in 2010–11 La Liga, being a starter in all 13 matches since his arrival and before the foot injury.

2011–12 season

During the 2011–12 La Liga, he continued to be the first team regular and one of the crucial Sevilla players. Due to managerial changes and new tactical schemes introduced by the new coach Marcelino, who was later replaced by Míchel, Rakitić was given a different role on the pitch than the one he had the previous season, when he was used as central midfielder under coach Gregorio Manzano. During the course of the season he was mostly deployed as a defensive midfielder. By the end of the season he made total of 39 appearances for the club, provided six assists, and scored one goal in the Spanish Cup. This turned out to be his only goalless La Liga season while playing for Sevilla.

2012–13 season

Rakitić with Sevilla in 2013, when became the team captain.

Rakitić started the 2012–13 La Liga season by providing an assist in the opening match against Getafe CF. On 12 September, he provided another assist for Piotr Trochowski in home 1–0 win against Real Madrid. He scored his first goal of the season in the Matchday 5 against Deportivo de La Coruña. Rakitić scored two goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second Seville derby of the season, against their cross-city rivals Real Betis.[14] This was his third goal of the season against Sevilla's cross-city rivals, given the fact that he had also scored in the first Seville derby of the season, when Sevilla celebrated 5–1 victory. During the match against Real Sociedad Rakitić added two goals to his tally, however, the second one was an own goal, tying things up at 1–1 after he scored the first goal to give his club 1–0 lead.[15] Until the end of the season, he made total of 42 appearances for the club, and scored twelve goals for the team, of that three in the Spanish Cup. He finished the season with 10 league assists. Statistics showed that Rakitić created 100 chances in total and ranked fourth across all players in Europe that season in terms of chances created.[16]

2013–14 season

In the beginning of the 2013–14 La Liga season, coach Unai Emery named Rakitić as the new Sevilla's captain.[17] Since the beginning of the season he was one of the most prominent players of the league, scoring the first goal and assisting for the second in away 3–2 loss against FC Barcelona on 14 September. In the two last games of September he scored two goals in away 4–1 win against Rayo Vallecano, and assisted for the draw 1–1 goal against Real Sociedad. In the three last games of October, Rakitić scored a goal in home 2–0 win against SC Freiburg, home 2–1 win against UD Almería, and two goals in away 7–3 lose against Real Madrid.[18] In the third and fourth games of November he contributed an assist in away 1–3 win against RCD Espanyol, and two more respectively in home 4–0 win against Real Betis. In the last game of December, and first part of the season, he assisted in away 1–2 win against Villarreal CF, helping the team reach a top ten position after a disappointing start of the season, as well attracting attention from other international clubs.[19][20] In the first game of 2014, he scored a goal in home 3–0 win against Getafe CF. During January he scored two more La Liga goals for Sevilla, against Atlético Madrid[21] and Levante UD, while also missing a penalty kick in the latter fixture.[22] These performances earned him a La Liga Player of the Month award.[23]

His good form continued in the season, with several assists and goals from February to May, like the two assists in the Europa League away 2–2 draw against NK Maribor or when with sombrero skipped a player and assisted for home 2–1 win over Real Madrid, and against F.C. Porto scored a goal for a 4–1 home win. He assisted in the semi-final first leg 2–0 win over Valencia CF, which they won on aggregate (3–3), and qualified for the Europa League final. He was man of the match as Sevilla won the final 4–2 on penalties over Benfica at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy.[24] He was the first player to captain a team to victory in the UEFA Europa League final and also pick up the official man of the match award.[25] He was included in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season.[26] By the Spanish national football league association, Rakitić was chosen in La Liga first eleven in both first round, and team of the season.[27][28] He finished the season scoring 15 goals, and recording 17 assists.[29]

Barcelona

On 16 June 2014, FC Barcelona signed Rakitić on a five-year contract effective from 1 July.[30]

International career

Representing Croatia in 2013.

Rakitić's first international experience came at youth level, while competed with the Swiss under-17, under-19 and under-21 national teams, but decided to take up the call by Slaven Bilić and play for the Croatia senior national team.[31] He made his full international debut for Croatia on 8 September 2007 in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia in Zagreb, Croatia, highly praised by the fans as he was entering the game as a substitute.[32] In Croatia's following qualifier, a 6–0 away win over Andorra on 12 September 2007, he scored his first international goal for Croatia in only his second appearance for the team. He finished the year 2007 with five senior international caps to his name, four of which were in the successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.[citation needed]

Euro 2008

In early May 2008, he joined Croatia's squad for the Euro 2008 tournament in Austria and Switzerland, where he was the second-youngest player.[33] He made his first appearance at the tournament as a starter against Germany, and eventually provided a shot which ricocheted off the post and allowed teammate Ivica Olić to score the second goal in their 2–1 victory. He formed a praised trio of Croatian attacking midfielders with his teammates Luka Modrić and Niko Kranjčar. Though playing a strong role against Turkey in the quarter finals of the tournament, Rakitić went on to miss one of the three unsuccessful penalties in the shootout, thus leading to a victory for Turkey.[34][35]

Rakitić continued to appear regularly for Croatia during their unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, making a total of 10 appearances and scoring three goals in the competition. On 15 October 2008, he scored a brace in a 4–0 win at home to Andorra. On 5 September 2009, he scored the match-winning goal in a 1–0 win at home to Belarus. Croatia failed to qualify for the finals after finishing third in their group.[36]

Euro 2012

After appearing in all of their Euro 2012 qualifiers, he was selected to be part of the Croatian squad at Euro in Poland and Ukraine. Croatia were drawn in Group C together with Spain, Italy and Ireland. Rakitić started in all three of Croatia group stage matches against Republic of Ireland, Italy and Spain. After two matches played, Croatia had 4 points and were facing defending champions Spain in Gdansk. With the game goalless and entering the final half hour, Rakitić burst into the Spanish penalty area but could not direct his header past Iker Casillas after being picked out by a wonderful Luka Modrić pass. It proved to be a costly miss, with Spain's Jesus Navas tucking home an 88th-minute winner to send the Croatians crashing out. Despite missing the best chance of the game, Rakitić was Croatia's busiest player with 53 touches, their most frequent crosser with six crosses and shooter with two shots.

2014 World Cup

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, on 12 October 2012 he scored a goal from a free kick against Macedonia in Philip II Arena, to help secure a 2–1 victory for Croatia. Eventually, after the playoffs, the team qualified for the World Cup. They entered the Group A with Brazil, Mexico and Cameroon. Croatia played the opening game against Brazil, which they eventually lost 3–1.[37] In the second game won 0–4 against Cameroon.[38]

Personal life

Rakitić married Raquel Mauri in April 2013 in Sevilla, Spain, after two years of dating.[39] In July 2013, their daughter, Althea, was born.[40]

Career statistics

As of 18 May 2014.[41][42][43][44]
Club League Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Basel Super League 2005–06 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 0
2006–07 33 11 5 0 5 0 43 11
Total 34 11 6 0 6 0 46 11
Schalke 04 Bundesliga 2007–08 29 3 6 1 7 0 42 4
2008–09 23 1 4 1 7 1 34 3
2009–10 29 7 4 0 – 33 7
2010–11 16 1 4 1 5 0 25 2
Total 97 12 18 3 19 1 134 16
Sevilla La Liga 2010–11 13 6 1 0 2 0 16 6
2011–12 36 0 3 1 0 0 39 1
2012–13 34 9 8 3 – 42 12
2013–14 34 12 0 0 18 3 52 15
Total 117 27 12 4 20 3 147 34
Career Total 248 50 36 7 45 4 327 61

Honours

Club

FC Basel
Sevilla

References

  1. ^ Sinovčić, Dean (8 May 2007). "Ivan Rakitić: 'Bliži sam Švicarskoj jer sam ovdje rođen'". Nacional (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c Sinovčić, Dean (21 August 2007). "Rakitić family terror in Switzerland". Nacional. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Swiss skipper Frei nets football award". Swissinfo.ch. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
  4. ^ "Rakitić earns Schalke draw with Stuttgart".[dead link]
  5. ^ "Match report Bayern vs Schalke". FC Bayern Munich. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  6. ^ "Euro 2008 player profile".[dead link]
  7. ^ "Schalke party boys axed". Eurosport. 11 December 2007.[dead link]
  8. ^ Collins, Ben (6 March 2008). "Schalke secure shoot-out win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Slomkas große Personalsorgen". Kicker (in German). 21 March 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  10. ^ "VfL Bochum 0–3 Schalke 04". ESPN Soccernet. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  11. ^ "2007–08 Bundesliga stats by Kicker" (in German). Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  12. ^ "Recap: Weekend German Action". Yanks Abroad. 17 August 2008. Retrieved 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ "Rakitić opts for Sevilla, Medel to follow". UEFA. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  14. ^ "Real Betis vs. Sevilla, 2013 La Liga: Final score 3–3, Betis pulls off a dramatic derby comeback". SBNATION. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  15. ^ "Rakitic's own goal puts Real Sociedad back in fourth place". insidespanishfootball. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  16. ^ Talintyre, Dan. "Should Liverpool Target Playmaker Who Created More Chances Than Mata & Cazorla? Transfer Scouting Report". Squawka News. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  17. ^ "Velika počast za Hrvata: Ivan Rakitić novi kapetan Seville!" (in Croatian). gol.dnevnik.hr. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  18. ^ "Bale scores two, sets up two more as Madrid crushes Sevilla Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20131030/real-madrid-sevilla-gareth-bale-cristiano-ronaldo.ap/#ixzz2sUa3r2Vg". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 5 February 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  19. ^ Francisco Acedo Torregrosa (2 January 2014). "Transfer news: Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic undecided on future". skysports.com. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  20. ^ Tom Sunderland (3 January 2014). "Liverpool Transfer News: Ivan Rakitic Reveals Crunch Talks over Sevilla Future". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  21. ^ "Atlético de Madrid 1 – FC Sevilla 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  22. ^ "Sevilla FC 2–3 Levante". http://espnfc.com/. Retrieved 5 February 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Rakitic: I can assure you, my number one choice is Sevilla". Inside Spanish Football. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  24. ^ Johnston, Neil (15 May 2014). "Sevilla win Europa League final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  25. ^ Hammond, Mike (15 April 2014). "UEFA Europa League final stats and facts". UEFA. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  26. ^ "UEFA Europa League squad of the season". UEFA. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  27. ^ "The cream of the first round". LFP. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  28. ^ "The Liga BBVA team of the season". LFP. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  29. ^ "Ivan Rakitic Sevilla Football Club Statistics" (in Spanish). Sevilla Futbol Club. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  30. ^ "Agreement for Ivan Rakitic to join FC Barcelona". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  31. ^ "Rakitić commits to Croatian cause". UEFA. 24 June 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  32. ^ "Swiss sad at losing Rakitić to Croatia". Rakitić homepage.[dead link]
  33. ^ "Lehmann zweitältester Spieler – Italien älteste Elf" (in German). Eurosport. 31 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 June 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2008.
  34. ^ Croatia 1 – 1 Turkey Uefa.com ; 20 June 2008
  35. ^ "Croatia 1 – 1 Turkey". UEFA.com. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  36. ^ King, Ian; Lugo, Erik Francisco; Stokkermans, Karel; Zlotkowski, Andre (12 September 2013). "2010 World Cup Qualifying". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  37. ^ "Brazil 3 Croatia 1". BBC Sport. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  38. ^ "Cameroon 0 Croatia 4". BBC Sport. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  39. ^ "Ivan Rakitić oženio se u tajnosti" (in Croatian). Gloria. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  40. ^ "Rakitić postao ponosni tata curice!" (in Croatian). Dnevnik.hr. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  41. ^ "Ivan Rakitic" (in Spanish). sevillafc.es. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  42. ^ "Rakitic" (in Spanish). Marca. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  43. ^ "Rakitic, Ivan" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  44. ^ "I. Rakitić". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Sevilla captain
2013–2014 		Succeeded by
Incumbent

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