Ronaldo's Juve Pitch to Rakitić: The Move That Never Happened and a Career Worth Watching

Ronaldo's Pitch to Rakitić

Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitić, a Barcelona veteran, said that Cristiano Ronaldo, then a Juventus star, called him in 2019 urging a move from Barcelona to Turin. The talk came as Ronaldo looked to add another piece to a career that had already crossed Spain and beyond. Rakitić later spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the call, confirming its existence and its weight in his memory.

Rakitić recalled that Ronaldo asked him to join Juventus, and he admits in hindsight that a move to Italy had long attracted him. He describes the moment as one of the chances he regrets not seizing in a long career filled with big names and big stages.

LaLiga Roots and a Rich Career Abroad

Now 37, Rakitić has played 310 matches for Barcelona and scored 35 goals, including a notable strike against Juventus in the 2015 Champions League final. He never played in Serie A, with most of his career unfolding in La Liga and the Bundesliga. He added that he admires Italian football and the lifestyle there, praising coach Gennaro Gattuso, who had coached him the previous year at Hajduk Split, and noting the presence of a strong national coach who could lead a team toward its goals.

Rakitić won the Croatian player of the year award in 2015, a marker of his standing in his homeland and his continued impact at club level. He explained that the Juventus offer did not materialize partly because he was still under Barcelona contract and partly because the timing did not align with his current commitments.

He described his path as blessed, noting that he played for Barcelona, then returned to Sevilla, and later spent time in Hajduk Split. He felt it would have been wonderful to take the Juventus route, but ultimately he valued the journey and the experiences he did have.

Ronaldo at Juventus and Beyond

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018. He spent three seasons at the Allianz Stadium, scoring 101 goals in 134 appearances across all competitions and collecting two Serie A titles during his tenure. After leaving Juventus, he moved back to Manchester United, though his second spell there was brief due to tensions with coach Erik ten Hag. He subsequently joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he is enjoying his third season with the club.

The piece also ponders the all time scoring records in the UEFA Champions League. Ronaldo remains the highest scorer in the competition with 140 goals, followed by Lionel Messi with 129, then Robert Lewandowski on 105, Karim Benzema on 90, Raul Gonzalez on 71, Kylian Mbappe on 60, and others such as Thomas Muller and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the top ranks. The conversation around these legends underscores the scale of Ronaldos impact across generations.

Rakitićs Final Chapter

Rakitić announced his retirement from football aged 37 after concluding his career with Hajduk Split. He shared the news via a video on his social media channels, closing a chapter that featured a mix of domestic league titles and European glory. Marca noted that he preferred to finish his career close to family and fans, a decision that honored his roots after years under the brightest lights of European football.

Legendary La Liga Journey

Much of Rakitićs career unfolded in La Liga. He began with Sevilla in 2011, moved to Barcelona for 18 million euros in 2014, and later returned to Sevilla before a spell in Saudi football with Hajduk. With Sevilla, he claimed two UEFA Europa League titles in 2014 and 2020, captaining the side in both eras. With Barcelona, his trophy cabinet swelled to 13 major titles, including the 2015 Champions League and multiple league cups and Super Cups.

Rakitić is remembered as a central figure in Barcelonas evolution, making 308 appearances for the club, scoring 36 goals and providing 40 assists. He played under managers like Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, alongside legends such as Lionel Messi, Neymar, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets, cementing his place in one of the clubs most storied eras.

In the end, Rakitićs career stands as a testament to consistency, leadership, and a knack for thriving in Europe’s top leagues. He leaves behind memories of a midfielder who could control tempo, drive forward, and wear the captaincy with quiet dignity.

Punchline 1: If football transfers were dating apps, Ronaldo would be swiping right on every star, and Rakitić would get a polite no reply in all caps. Punchline 2: Sometimes the best move is the one you do not make; apparently that is also how you win over a fan base and your own doubts in the same season.