UEFA has informed through its social networks that Ivan Rakitic will join his Foundation for Children. The Sevilla midfielder admitted to feeling proud to become the first ambassador for the project.
Croatian Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic will join the UEFA Children’s Foundation as the first official ambassador, a role in which he will promote the Foundation’s initiatives to help improve the lives of children in the whole world.
“Being part of the UEFA Foundation family makes me very proud. I am very happy and it gives me a lot of responsibility to show everyone that with the Foundation all players can accomplish a lot and above all help. children all over the world to smile, ”he said after UEFA’s announcement on Wednesday.
Rakitic, who as a father of two said he understood “how important it is to see that smile on the children’s faces”, spoke of his commitment to this new role and his enthusiasm for fulfilling it now and after his death. retirement.
“I hope to have many more good years in the field but, of course, once I retire I am sure I will have more time and more opportunities to travel and be available and my enthusiasm will not will only grow, “added the player, who announced his retirement from the Croatian national team last September.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who also chairs the Board of Directors of the Children’s Foundation, praised the commitment of Rakitic, “one of the best midfielders of his generation” and “a someone who wants to make a tangible difference off the pitch to improve the lives of others ”.
“I was very impressed with Ivan’s commitment and desire to help children around the world. We look forward to working closely with him to achieve these goals. The door is always open for players to , past and present, follow Ivan’s example and join the UEFA Foundation in an ambassadorial role, “he said.