Ivan Rakitić vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Ivan Rakitić versus Predrag Mijatović is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. The raw numbers read 90 goals in 700 outings for Ivan Rakitić (0.13/game), versus 210 in 500 for Predrag Mijatović (0.42/game). Creativity tells a story too: 90 assists for Ivan Rakitić against 30 for Predrag Mijatović. Ivan Rakitić departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2015); Predrag Mijatović with 2, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). History will file Ivan Rakitić under creative greatness and Predrag Mijatović under predatory greatness — different shelves, same temple. The wider career context matters too: Ivan Rakitić peaked around 2015 after representing Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split, while Predrag Mijatović's defining level came around 1998 across Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
163 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
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.
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Ivan Rakitić is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Ivan Rakitić edges it (a decisive margin)
