Croatian World Cup Hero Mario Mandzukic Retires From Football
Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic announced his retirement from the game on Friday. The 35-year-old Mario shared the news on Instagram. It has been three years since he last played an international game.
Famous Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, who scored the triumphant goal against England in the elimination rounds of the World Cup in 2018, announced his retirement from the game.
Having played his last international game three years ago, the 35-year-old declared his choice in a post on Instagram, which incorporated a photograph of a couple of boots, on Friday night. "While you put on these boots interestingly, you can't envision what you will insight in football," he wrote in a message in English addressed to his young self, "Dear little Mario", and marked "Your enormous Mario".
Mandzukic appeared multiple times for Croatia, scoring 33 goals. He also played for Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus, and appeared multiple times this year for AC Milan. The injury-plagued player was utilized as a substitute and wasn't able to score a goal.
With Dinamo Zagreb, he won the Croatian association multiple times, the Bundesliga twice, and the Champions League title with Bayern Munich, and the Serie A four times with Juventus.
"You will score goals on the biggest stages and win the biggest trophies in the jerseys of the biggest clubs," he wrote.
"In the jersey of greatest pride, the Croatian national team, you will write some of the most important moments of Croatian sport."
Juventus quickly responded.
"Glad to have shared part of your story together," the club posted on Instagram.
Croatia's sports stars Miralem Pjanic, tennis player Marin Cilic, and NBA forward Bojan Bogdanovic, a rival in the 2018 World Cup final and Juventus colleague, all joined the online chorus of praise.
"Thank you mister no good!!" wrote another French former Juventus team-mate Patrice Evra "Such a warrior."
Croatian mentor Zlatko Dalic expressed gratitude toward Mandzukic in a proclamation calling him "a fighter on whom the team could always rely, a player for big games and the toughest challenges".
Born in Slavonski Brod, Mandzukic began his vocation in 2004 at the old neighborhood club Marsonia. In 2007, he signed a significant agreement with Dinamo Zagreb.
Then, he played for Wolfsburg (2010-2012), Bayern Munich (2012-2014), Atletico Madrid (2014-2015), and Juventus (2015-2019).
He concluded his career with a review of his sensational World Cup semi-final win.
