Ivan Rakitic to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Rakitić fans. Speculation had been rife that Barcelona Champions League–winning midfielder will announce his retirement from sports, at age 38, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouIvan

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouIvan was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouIvan.”
— @DesireePlum, 19 Mar 2026

“I thought Ivan Rakitic retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 19 Mar 2026

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