Ivan Rakitić vs Fernando Redondo: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023) · Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1969, retired 2004)
When Ivan Rakitić and Fernando Redondo are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. The raw numbers read 90 goals in 700 outings for Ivan Rakitić (0.13/game), versus 30 in 450 for Fernando Redondo (0.07/game). In chance creation, Ivan Rakitić tallied 90 assists to Fernando Redondo's 60. The honours ledger favours Ivan Rakitić with 6 major trophies (1× UEFA Champions League (2015)) against Fernando Redondo's 5 (2× La Liga (1995, 1997)). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Ivan Rakitić incisive, Fernando Redondo orchestrating. Club journeys add another layer, with Ivan Rakitić reaching his representative peak around 2015 across Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split and Fernando Redondo doing so around 1998 with Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
151 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
A key architect of Barcelona's 2015 treble and Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final, Rakitić combined tireless work rate with excellent passing range.
“A tireless, technically composed box-to-box midfielder whose range of passing linked defence and attack seamlessly.”
A supremely elegant defensive midfielder famed for his flowing hair and a single backheel that became one of the sport's most replayed pieces of skill.
“An elegant, deep-lying playmaker who shielded the defence while dictating play with effortless long passing.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2015)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2014)
- 4× La Liga (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 2× La Liga (1995, 1997)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (1998)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Professional debut for Basel
- 2015 Won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
- 2015 Won La Liga with Barcelona
- 2015 Reached the peak of his powers at Barcelona
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Hajduk Split
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours.
- 1987 Professional debut for Argentinos Juniors
- 1995 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Won Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Ivan Rakitić wins out by a narrow margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Ivan Rakitić edges it (a narrow margin)
