FC Schalke 04 invites fans to the official season opener on Saturday, which includes a friendly match against FC Sevilla. Two former pros who played for both clubs will also be in attendance. As part of the official season opener, traditional club FC Sevilla will be playing at the Veltins Arena (5 p.m., RS live ticker). The match against their Spanish friends is the last friendly before the second division kicks off against Hertha BSC next Friday (August 1, 8:30 p.m.).

However, the match against Sevilla is not just a dress rehearsal for head coach Miron Muslic’s team – two prominent former players will also be returning to Gelsenkirchen on the day: Ivan Rakitic and Coke, who played for both Schalke and Sevilla.

Rakitic, a former midfielder for the Royal Blues, played for Schalke from 2007 to 2011 and wore the number ten jersey. He made 135 appearances (16 goals, 29 assists), scored in the derby against Borussia Dortmund, and won the DFB Cup with Schalke.

This was followed by an international career that took him to Sevilla and then FC Barcelona. Now 37, he won the Champions League, Europa League, and championships, and was runner-up with Croatia in 2018. He recently ended his career and is now technical director at Hajduk Split.

At the end of his career, Rakitic also looked back on his time at Schalke. He said that he “grew up” at the club, “away from home for the first time, and learned to face new challenges.” He said that he “gained strength” at Schalke and that this “opened new doors” for him.

Alongside Rakitic, Coke will also be at the stadium on Saturday – another player with a history at both clubs. The 38-year-old moved from Sevilla to Schalke in the summer of 2016. Expectations were high, but numerous injuries prevented the right-back from really hitting his stride at S04.

Coke played only ten games (scoring one goal) and returned to Spain after a year and a half. He ended his career last summer. He enjoyed his best years at Sevilla, where he won the Europa League three times in five years.

Coke and Rakitic will not only be present at the friendly against Sevilla, but will also appear on the “Tausend-Freunde-Bühne” (Thousand Friends Stage) at the arena grounds in the afternoon (around 2:30 p.m.). Half an hour before kickoff of the Sevilla friendly, the two former pros will also take to the arena turf.