Cristiano Ronaldo personally called a Barcelona star, urging a switch to his club in a bid to reshape a storied career.
The revelation, shared in a candid interview, exposes a sliding-doors moment that could have shifted the balance of La Liga’s fiercest rivalry.
The Barcelona star’s decision to stay loyal to the Blaugrana, despite the allure of joining one of the game’s greatest, underscores the emotional weight of club allegiance in the face of transformative possibilities.
The player courted by Ronaldo was Ivan Rakitic, who spoke to Goal about his biggest career regret: not teaming up with the Portuguese icon.
In 2014, as Rakitic weighed offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Ronaldo personally called him, urging, “Come to Madrid, we’ll win everything together.”
The pitch promised glory alongside stars like Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, but Rakitic chose Barcelona, drawn to Luis Enrique’s vision and the chance to play with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi.
That call from Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, lingers as a haunting “what if.”
Rakitic’s choice bore fruit: his debut 2014-15 season delivered a treble, including the Champions League, with a goal in the final against Juventus.
Across 310 appearances, he amassed four La Liga titles, five Copas del Rey, 31 goals, and 42 assists, cementing his legacy at Barcelona.
Yet, the prospect of combining his midfield artistry with Ronaldo’s lethal finishing gnaws at him.
“Playing with CR7 would have been magical,” Rakitic admitted, envisioning a dynamic partnership.
His decision reflected Barcelona’s tiki-taka ethos over Madrid’s star-driven approach.
Now 37 and shining at Hajduk Split after spells at Sevilla and Al-Shabab, Rakitic reflects without regret but with curiosity.
The call from Cristiano Ronaldo, a testament to his own caliber, highlights the crossroads that define careers.
For Rakitic, choosing Barcelona was a triumph, but the untraveled path to Madrid—sparked by Ronaldo’s voice—remains a poignant echo of football’s eternal rivalries.
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