Yaroslav Rakitskyi Hangs Up His Boots
Yaroslav Rakitskyi, the former defender for Shakhtar Donetsk and the Ukrainian national team, has officially announced his retirement from professional football. Over the course of his career, he amassed 30 trophies, won the Ukrainian Premier League title 10 times with Shakhtar, and earned 54 caps for his country, scoring four goals. His final club was Chornomorets, which he left in 2026. Rakitskyi is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished defenders in Ukrainian football history.
A product of Shakhtar's youth academy, Rakitskyi began his professional journey there and devoted his entire career to the sport. Reflecting on his journey, he stated:
“Football was my life for 30 years. Not just a game. Not just a profession. My entire existence revolved around football.” - Yaroslav Rakitskyi
Legacy and Future Plans
Following the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Rakitskyi terminated his contract with Russian club Zenit and returned to his homeland. He also made multiple visits to the front lines and provided financial support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In November 2019, he announced his retirement from international football but continued playing at the club level.
In his farewell message, Rakitskyi expressed gratitude to his mentors and club:
“I thank Rinat Leonidovych Akhmetov. I thank my native Shakhtar academy and every club employee who stood by me over the years.” - Yaroslav Rakitskyi
He also acknowledged his early coaches: “Special thanks to my first coach Pavlo Dulinov, my reserve team coach Valeriy Yaremchenko, and my football angel—Mircea Lucescu.”
Looking ahead, Rakitskyi plans to remain involved in football, potentially as a coach or sports executive. “Today, I close the chapter of my life as a professional footballer who won 30 trophies at the highest level. And I continue to live football in a new role—as a coach or sports executive—we’ll see what the future holds,” he said.
With his retirement, Rakitskyi leaves an indelible mark on Ukrainian football, and his achievements will be remembered by fans for years to come.
The end of Yaroslav Rakitskyi’s playing career marks a significant moment for Ukrainian football, as he was one of the most prominent players of his generation. His contributions to Shakhtar and the national team are immeasurable, and his trophies and victories will become part of the country’s sporting history. A transition to coaching or executive roles could open new opportunities for Rakitskyi to nurture young talent in Ukraine.