Ivan Rakitić Wins Croatian Fans’ Player of the Year Award

Rakitić with his award (photo/hns)

The official supporters club of the Croatian national football team “Uvijek vjerni” (Always faithful) have handed out their annual awards for 2015 last night at a function in Osijek…

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitić, who last season won the Spanish league, cup, Champions League, European Supercup and World Club Championship trophies, won the ‘Vatrena krila’ award for the ‘Best and Biggest Hearted Player’ for 2015 according to the fans.

“This is a special, very important moment for me. I’ve seen the effect my teammates who previously won this trophy made. We are successful, we play in big clubs, but this recognition makes me happy like a child. I remember when I was a little kid following our players and games, and it was a unforgetable moment when I told my father that I chose to play for Croatia,” Rakitić said after picking up the award.

The ‘Most Promising’ award went to the Croatia U-17 team who made the quarter finals at the U-17 World Cup in Chile. Coach Ivica Grnja was also awarded for his contribution to Croatian football.

Rakitić, Grnja & Krpan (U-17) with the awards (photo/hns)

Past winners of the ‘Vatrena krila’ award:
2009 – Vedran Runje
2010 – Darijo Srna
2011 – Josip Šimunić
2012 – Mario Mandžukić
2013 – Stipe Pletikosa
2014 – Ivan Perišić