Ivan Rakitic Reveals He Still Avoids Watching 2018 World Cup Final Highlights Against France
Ivan Rakitic, the former Croatia midfielder, admitted he still cannot watch any clips from the 2018 World Cup final where Croatia lost 4-2 to France. The defeat at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium remains a wound he hasn’t healed, despite the historic run his team made to reach their first-ever final on the world stage.
The Emotional Weight of the Final
Speaking at a Meet, Greet & Table Football event in Seville before Croatia’s upcoming Nations League match against Spain, Rakitic revealed how raw the memory still is. As reported by Spanish outlet MARCA, he said, "It was tough. To this day, I haven’t watched a single clip of that final, and if you played it now, I’d turn away."Despite playing the full match and being a key player throughout the tournament, the sting of falling short lingers deeply.
Immense Pride Amidst Heartbreak
Though the loss was bitter, Rakitic reflected on the pride Croatia took in their underdog achievements. With a population just under four million, reaching the World Cup final was an extraordinary accomplishment that earned them respect worldwide.
He added, "Ten minutes after losing it, we felt immense pride because Croatia isn’t Spain; it’s very small, with a population not even reaching four million, but we achieved something special: we even won over the hearts and respect of so many people in France."He also mentioned receiving messages from across the globe, despite wishing they had lifted the trophy instead.
Looking Ahead: Croatia vs Spain
Croatia now prepares for a UEFA Nations League Group A3 match against Spain at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium. Under coach Slaven Bilic, the team aims to earn three points and move ahead of La Roja after a narrow 2-1 win against Czechia in their opening match. This tough encounter in Andalusia will test the Vatreni before they face two more fixtures in this international window.
Upcoming Nations League Fixtures:
- Belgium vs France: 28 Sept 2026, 21:45
- Spain vs Croatia: 29 Sept 2026, 21:45
