Ivan Rakitić vs Nicolas Anelka: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023) · Striker, France (born 1979, retired 2015)
Line up Ivan Rakitić next to Nicolas Anelka and the contrasts come quickly. It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. By the end Ivan Rakitić had 90 goals from 700 caps and club outings; Nicolas Anelka had 300 from 800. The assist columns read 90 for Ivan Rakitić and 90 for Nicolas Anelka where the record exists. In major honours Ivan Rakitić collected 6 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2015) — whereas Nicolas Anelka amassed 4, led by 2× Premier League (1998, 2010). Ivan Rakitić played with a orchestrating that made him unmistakable; Nicolas Anelka brought a mercurial that was equally his own. Club journeys add another layer, with Ivan Rakitić reaching his representative peak around 2015 across Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split and Nicolas Anelka doing so around 2009 with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, West Bromwich Albion, Mumbai City. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
180 words · comparison angle: style
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 talented but nomadic French striker, Anelka won titles in four different countries, culminating in Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph.
“A quick, clinical striker with excellent movement in behind, though a reputation for a wandering, restless career.”
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× Premier League (1998, 2010)
- 1× La Liga (2000)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
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.
- 1995 Professional debut for Paris Saint-Germain
- 1998 Won Premier League with Arsenal
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2009 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Mumbai City
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Ivan Rakitić is the choice: a clear margin, with consistency at the very highest level the deciding factor.
Ivan Rakitić edges it (a clear margin)
