Did Cristiano Ronaldo Try to Convince Rakitic to Join Juventus?

In 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo personally called Ivan Rakitic, urging him to join Juventus. Rakitic, who played 310 games and scored 35 goals for Barcelona, admitted he would have loved to play in Italy. The move failed due to Barcelona ties and high transfer costs. Ronaldo spent three years at Juventus, scoring 101 goals in 134 matches and winning two Serie A titles.

For the 2019 transfer window, former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo personally called him to join Juventus. Rakitic admitted to Gazzetta that he would have loved to play in Italy and considers missing the move one of his career regrets. The 37-year-old spent the majority of his career in La Liga with Barcelona, playing 310 matches and scoring 35 goals, including one against Juventus in the 2015 Champions League Final.

Rakitic praised Italian football, the lifestyle, and expressed admiration for coach Gennaro Gattuso, who managed him at Hajduk. Despite Ronaldo’s appeal, the transfer did not materialize partly because Rakitic was still under contract at Barcelona and the transfer fee was a factor. He described his career as fortunate, with significant stints at Barcelona, Sevilla, and Hajduk, and acknowledged that a move to Italy would have been fascinating.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus from Real Madrid in 2018 and spent three years at the Allianz Stadium, scoring 101 goals in 134 appearances. During his time in Serie A, he won two league titles under coaches including Maurizio Sarri. Rakitic’s story highlights Ronaldo’s influence and the potential moves that shape football careers.