LONDON: Jose Mourinho once called Ivan Rakitic, who joined struggling Saudi Pro League giants Al-Shabab in January, “fantastic” and “one of the most underrated players in the world.”
The rich praise from The Special One underscores what a significant coup Al-Shabab achieved in luring the former Croatia and Barcelona midfielder from La Liga side Sevilla.
Like Mourinho, Rakitic, 36, is a serial winner, having claimed 16 major honors in his illustrious career.
But he arrived in Saudi Arabia to find the six-time Pro League champions in dire need of revitalization, after the dismissal of two managers during a tumultuous campaign.
Despite Al-Shabab’s 11th place in the league, Rakitic, in an exclusive interview with Arab News, expressed supreme optimism about inspiring a resurgence.
“(During) our first training session after the break, the first thing the coach (Vitor Pereira) said to me was: ‘Ivan, you’re so happy all the time’,” a beaming Rakitic said over Zoom. “I told him: ‘Why not? It’s one life. We don’t have another one.’
“I’m the happiest guy in the world playing football.”
Rakitic’s relentless positivity and ferocious competitive spirit, honed alongside luminaries such as Lionel Messi and Luka Modric for club and country, will surely galvanize Al-Shabab.
“The most important part, as I (said) when I arrived, is bringing a winning mentality. I just told the guys: ‘Sorry if sometimes I get angry, but I want to win everything all the time. If you’re traveling and playing something on the iPad, I will try to win. If you play short games in a training session, if I have to kick you, sorry, I have to kick you because I want to win this game’.”
His great admirer, Mourinho, would heartily approve of such pugnacity in the quest for success.
The admiration is mutual. Rakitic revealed he hugged Mourinho at the Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou fight in March. He would be delighted to see the Portuguese maestro move to the Kingdom — an increasingly likely prospect.
Mourinho was heavily linked with Al-Shabab’s managerial vacancy in January following his dismissal from AS Roma. He has said he will “definitely” work in Saudi Arabia.
“I’ve been really proud of my career, but if I could have the opportunity to work with Jose Mourinho, it (would be) an amazing step in my career,” Rakitic, who has moved to Saudi Arabia with his wife Raquel and daughters Althea (10) and Adara (8), said. “My respect for him is truly amazing. I think that we are very similar.
“We want to win everything. We want to be at the top in all that we do.
“He’s one of the best coaches in the history of football. Hopefully, in the future, we can have this opportunity to work together or to be closer to each other.”
Rakitic had not anticipated following world-renowned footballers, including his former Barcelona teammate Neymar, in taking the well-trodden path to the Pro League.
After earning legendary status through 323 appearances in two separate stints, he had intended to remain at his second home, Sevilla.
“If somebody (said to) me three or four months ago that I will be here in Riyadh and have an interview with you, I would say you were crazy. This is not possible,” said Rakitic, who won the Europa League twice with Sevilla and 13 trophies — including the 2015 Champions League (he scored in the 3-1 win over Juventus in the final) — in a glittering spell with Barcelona between 2014 and 2020.
“Everything changed when I had my first meeting with (Al-Shabab) President Mohammed (Al-Munajam). To hear about his vision, what he wanted to create with Al-Shabab, where he wanted to reach in this league, was amazing.”
After becoming president in September, Al-Munajam promised a bountiful new era for the third most successful Saudi Pro League team.
Sacking Rakitic’s fellow Croat Igor Biscan as manager in December was certainly not part of his master plan.
Biscan’s wretched reign, yielding only three wins in 11 matches, was at least longer than Dutchman Marcel Keizer’s 40-day tenure between July and September.
Portugal’s Pereira, who won two league titles with Porto in an impressive managerial career that has included successful spells in Greece and China, has the task of reviving Al-Shabab’s fortunes.
Three wins in seven matches (before Saturday’s trip to Al-Tai) after the winter break may not have represented the renaissance he desired.
But Rakitic, who scored with a scorching strike from outside the box on his debut in the 1-0 win at Damac, is convinced that brighter days are ahead.
With him marshaling the midfield, the redoubtable former Wolves player Romain Saiss at center-back, and the ex-Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco providing attacking guile, that appears eminently possible.
“We would like to be close to the PIF teams (Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, who are majority-owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund), but I think now first of all we have to think about going step by step. Every game is like a final for us.
“We have to be higher in the table. This is really clear.
“(We have) amazing players and an amazing new coach. We have to (achieve) big results together working really hard, and then finish as high as possible.”
Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said that the Pro League could rival the top leagues globally and was already superior to France’s Ligue 1.
Rakitic, who reached the 2018 World Cup final with Croatia, said it was “maybe too fast” to make such a judgment — but he has witnessed the huge growth potential.
He said that “many talented players” in the Kingdom could benefit from playing for “big teams in big leagues” in Europe.
Rakitic’s Al-Shabab contract runs until only the summer of 2025.
However, he is sure “my president will come soon to me to try to give me a new contract.”
Until then, he is determined to savor every day in the Kingdom.
He is excited about the country’s Vision 2030 project, which he endorsed by choosing Al-Shabab’s squad number 30.
His adviser told Arab News that Rakitic was eager to immerse himself in Saudi Arabia’s culture and values after reading extensively about them when traveling to the Kingdom.
He said that Rakitic, “a very, very cool guy,” preferred to go to traditional restaurants than fancy ones to sample the true flavor of the country. Rakitic, who wore the national dress for Saudi Founding Day on Feb. 22, has also enjoyed visiting the historic town of Diriyah. Born in Switzerland to Croatian parents and with 106 caps for his adopted country before his international retirement in 2020, Rakitic speaks effusively about his new home.
“I really want to recommend to everybody to visit because it’s an amazing country with amazing people. To have this opportunity, hopefully when we get much older, to say: ‘Look, they reached (Vision 2030) but everything started with me. I was there to give a hand and (achieved) something amazing.’
“That’s why I am so happy (here).”
Why Al-Shabab’s Ivan Rakitic is ‘the happiest guy in the world playing football’
https://arab.news/n4sxb
Why Al-Shabab’s Ivan Rakitic is ‘the happiest guy in the world playing football’

- Ex-Barcelona midfielder tells Arab News he wants to ‘win everything’ with struggling Saudi Pro League giants Al-Shabab
- Former Croatia international would love to work with his great admirer Jose Mourinho in the Kingdom
Al-Nassr lead the way as Saudi teams score big in global football social media rankings

- Riyadh side ranks 16th globally in terms of followers, with more than 62m across platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube
- Other Saudi clubs in top 100 include Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli; teams from other Arab nations include Al-Ahly and Zamalek of Egypt, and Moroccan side Raja Casablanca
RIYADH: Saudi clubs made a strong impression in the latest global social media rankings for football teams, with Al-Nassr confirmed as the most-followed Arab club worldwide.
In a report published on Wednesday by the Football Observatory, a research group within the International Centre for Sports Studies, Al-Nassr, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League this season, ranked 16th globally in terms of followers, having amassed more than 62 million across platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
The club’s regional online dominance was widely attributed to the global appeal of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for the team in December 2022, and its rapidly growing fanbase.
Al-Hilal, this season’s runners-up in the league, ranked 24th, with 37.7 million followers, driven by strong social media engagement linked to success in continental competitions and a squad featuring a number of international stars.
Pro League champions Al-Ittihad took 49th spot in the rankings with 15.5 million followers, ahead of many European and American clubs, thanks to recent high-profile signings and domestic success. Al-Ahli ranked 66th with 10.7 million followers, their digital success bolstered by a recent return to the Saudi Pro League and a vibrant presence on TikTok and Instagram.
Several clubs in other Arab countries also appeared in the top 100, including Egyptian side Al-Ahly, who with 57.7 million followers ranked 18th globally and were the top African side, fellow Egyptian club Zamalek (45th, 17.2 million followers) and Moroccan team Raja Casablanca (59th, 12.3 million).
The researchers said the rankings reflected the growing global reach and digital influence of Arab football, with Saudi clubs in particular gaining ground on traditional powerhouses in Europe and the Americas such as Real Madrid, who topped the rankings with 473.7 million followers, Barcelona (2nd, 427.4 million), Manchester United (3rd, 233.6 million) and Flamengo of Brazil, the highest-placed South American team, who ranked 15th with 66.4 million followers.
Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut

- Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium
LOS ANGELES: The Saudi national football team touched down in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning ahead of their participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14 across the US.
The Green Falcons arrived at LAX International Airport from Jeddah and will hold their pre-tournament training camp in San Diego.
Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium.
The team was received at LAX by the Kingdom’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Bandar Al-Zaid.
Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal expressed appreciation to the consulate for its warm welcome and logistical support.
The squad will begin their preparations with a closed training session on Wednesday evening at the San Diego Performance Center.
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard confident ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

- Green Falcons are guaranteed at least a play-off spot but could still secure automatic qualification, though it would take a 5-goal victory
JEDDAH: On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s crucial closing match against Australia in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers, head coach Herve Renard expressed confidence in the readiness of his squad and stressed the importance of victory, despite the heavy odds against securing automatic qualification for the finals in North America next year.
Speaking during the prematch press conference at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Monday, alongside striker Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, Renard said: “We are in third place, and while 99 percent believe we are headed to the play-offs, we still have a chance (of automatic qualification).
“We have nothing to lose and are doing everything we can to make our fans happy. The most important thing for us is to win.
“We’re excited for this match. Some think we’re already in the play-offs but we still have hope. It’s very important to win (on Tuesday).”
Australia, led by coach Tony Popovic, sit in second place in Group C on 16 points, three ahead of the Saudis, and their superior goal difference means they need only avoid a five-goal defeat to confirm their seventh-consecutive appearance at the World Cup.
Japan top the group and have already secured qualification. Saudi Arabia and fourth-place Indonesia are guaranteed places in the play-offs, in which six teams will fight it out for the last three qualification spots.
Renard emphasized the need for focus and preparation ahead of Tuesday’s game.
“We have to approach the Australia game like any other, showing determination and being fully prepared,” he said. “I’ll do my best to select the best 11 players and the most effective approach heading into the match.”
The Green Falcons completed their preparations with a training session on Monday evening at the reserve pitch at King Abdullah Sports City.
Images released by the national team on social media showed Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal talking to players at the session.
The Green Falcons take on Australia at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, and fans were invited to take up the offer of free entry to the match.
Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia

- The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium
RIYADH: Fans will be granted free entry to Al-Inma Stadium on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia take on Australia in a must-win World Cup qualifier, the Saudi Football Federation announced on Sunday.
The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium.
The federation’s decision to open the gates free of charge was confirmed via the national team’s fan council on social media platform X, citing “appreciation of the support from the nation’s fans.”
The Green Falcons face a daunting task, as only a win by five goals or more will secure direct qualification to the 2026 tournament.
Failure to meet that target will see Saudi Arabia move into the fourth qualifying round.
That stage features six teams split into two groups, with each group winner earning a direct World Cup berth.
The runners-up will meet in a two-legged playoff to determine Asia’s representative in the intercontinental playoff.
Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia

- Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday
RIFFA: Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-0 in Riffa on Thursday to tee up a showdown with Australia for the second automatic spot in AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C.
With Australia snatching a last-minute victory against already qualified Japan earlier, Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday.
The Saudis got off to the perfect start, when on 16 minutes rising star Musab Al Juwayr met captain Salem Al-Dawsari's pinpoint cross to the back post to volley home.
The visitors then survived a few nervy moments in the second half before Abdulrahman Al Obud made safe the result 12 minutes from time with a goal on the counter.
The win keeps Saudi third, three points behind Australia, although with a far inferior goal difference.
Only a huge victory for the Gulf side in Jeddah would see them leapfrog the Socceroos.