The way from an unknown guy from Switzerland to one of the best oporniks in the world, Ivan Rakitich took quite a long time. He spent the beginning of his career in the little-known Swiss club Melin-Riburg, then 2 years he played in the more prestigious Basel from Portugal, 4 years in the German Schalke 04, 4 years in the Spanish Seville. On June 16, 2014, Ivan signed a contract with the Catalan Barcelona for 5 years, where he has been performing to this day.
Life before big football
Ivan Rakitich was born on March 10, 1988 in the city of Mehlin in Switzerland, where he spent his childhood. Interest in football for the boy from the very beginning instilled in his father and older brother. Ivan did not particularly like to go to school, and after 9th grade he entered the construction college.
It was very difficult to play football, study and gain a profession at the same time, so his parents allowed him to make an independent decision and thereby encouraged his son to play football. At 7 years old, the boy was already playing in the youth team of Basel, and at 17 he made his debut in the official match for this club.
Club and international achievements
Everyone can envy the club career of a player. Winner of the Swiss Cup 2006/07 season, champion of the Europa League 2013/2014, three-time winner of the La Liga and the Champions League.
In 2018, he won silver medals in the Croatian national team at the World Cup. Over the entire career of a player this is the most outstanding achievement. The tournament route for the Croatian national team was extremely difficult. Three matches in a row with extra time and a series of penalties and a defeat in the final from the French team will definitely be remembered by football fans for many years.
The statistics of Ivan Rakitich on the ratio of matches and goals are very decent for the defensive midfielder. In 307 matches played, he scored 43 goals, which, of course, is not a record, but nevertheless is a significant contribution to the successful performance of the club in all tournaments.
Professional advantages
Directly on the football field, Rakitic very rarely does something spectacular. Yes, he knows how to beat one on one, but most often he plays reliably and accurately, which is what is required in the position of a defensive midfielder. The player’s position obliges to work quite fruitfully in defense so that the attack group in the person of Messi, Suarez and Coutinho can not be distracted by the grueling selection of the ball. At the same time, if necessary, he is always ready to support his partners with a long diagonal forward or with a sharp penetrating pass.
During the game as part of the Catalan club, the football player gained an amazing sense of the ball. Obviously, the school of Spanish football affected it, which is extremely contagious in relation to the approach to the game. Often, some football observers notice an insufficient level of creativity for a player, but first of all it is worth noting that Ivan Rakitich is a team player. In “Barcelona” there are enough strong players of the attack group without it, because of which the coach of the team often has to sacrifice someone, sending at least one player not only to safety net in the support zone, but also to help the central defenders.
Personal qualities
To call Ivan Rakitich a quick-tempered football player simply does not turn his tongue. Looking at him, you involuntarily think: "Is he even worried about anything?" On your face you will never see even a drop of any sadness or sadness. On the contrary, the Croatian footballer often smiles, while being extremely polite even during football matches and outwardly calm.
One day in an interview after defeating Real Madrid, Rakitić said that he and his team needed to be able to be calmer. In that match, the royal club was removed from the field of Sergio Ramos, it would seem, what problems could arise? The principal rival was left without the main central defender and team captain. But Rakitic’s approach to football as a whole is much more subtle, and in the most critical situations he understands how important it is to maintain concentration. This remark very accurately explains why he manages to perform stably at the highest level, rarely get injured and experience any difficulties in his sports career. Constancy is the main character trait of Ivan Rakitich as a person.
Love story and family life
With his current wife, Raquel Ivan met in one of the bars of Seville, when she worked as a waitress. For a very long time he had to persuade the girl to go on a date with him, but Raquel constantly refused with the words that she had a lot of work. This did not stop the persistent gentleman, and until the last he continued all sorts of courtship.
Everything was unsuccessful until a call rang in his telephone receiver, where unknown people reported that Raquel was resting in a bar with his sister. Ivan took this opportunity, and the very next day the couple had lunch together. For six years of family life, the couple got two children - beautiful daughters.
The biography and personal life of Ivan Rakitich is open to the general public, the player does not try to hide from journalists and likes to tell interesting stories himself, very rarely refuses an interview.