PHOTOS: Croatia’s football stars receive state honours

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

Players, coaching staff, and technical support members who contributed to Croatia securing third place at the 22nd FIFA World Cup in Qatar were honoured in ceremony at the Office of the President today in Zagreb. 

President Zoran Milanović expressed his hope that the Croatian national football team will continue their remarkable achievements, recognising the team’s outstanding performance as a testament to the nation’s hard work and dedication. 

Despite Croatia being a small country, its success in the globally popular sport of football is significant and inspiring. 

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

Milanović highlighted that football is an inclusive sport where success is driven by hard work, irrespective of a country’s size or wealth.

Milanović quoted Franjo Bučar, a notable figure in Croatian sports history: “In the right hand strength, in the heart courage, in the mind the homeland.” He encouraged the team to continue their journey with ambition, fair play, knowledge, and persistence.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

The following players were awarded the Order of Danica Hrvatska with the likeness of Franjo Bučar for their exceptional contributions to Croatian sport and their performance at the World Cup: Borna Barišić, Ante Budimir, Martin Erlić, Ivo Grbić, Joško Gvardiol, Ivica Ivušić, Kristijan Jakić, Josip Juranović, Marko Livaja, Lovro Majer, Mislav Oršić, Mario Pašalić, Bruno Petković, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanišić, Luka Sučić, Josip Šutalo, and Nikola Vlašić.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

Additionally, Luka Modrić, Marcelo Brozović, Mateo Kovačić, Andrej Kramarić, Dominik Livaković, Dejan Lovren, Ivan Perišić, and Domagoj Vida received the Charter of the Republic of Croatia for their contributions to sport and the international reputation of Croatia. 

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

The coaching staff and trainers, including Marijan Kustić, Zlatko Dalić, Vedran Ćorluka, Marin Dadić, Dražen Ladić, Mario Mandžukić, Luka Milanović, Marjan Mrmić, and Ivica Olić, were also honored with the same award.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

Members of the technical support team were recognized with the Homeland Gratitude Memorial for their professional experience and support during the World Cup. 

These individuals include Goran Beloglavec, Marko Cvijanović, Neven Golubar, Blago Jakovljević, Miroslav Jamnić, Jurica Jurjević, Luka Karlo, Nenad Krošnjar, Dennis Luka Lukančić, Miroslav Marković, Nikša Martinac, Iva Olivari-Uliša, Tomislav Pacak, Mladen Pilčić, Stipe Pletikosa, Helena Puškar, Nderim Redžaj, Dr. Eduard Rod, Goran Vincek, and Drago Sopta.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

Croatia’s national coach, Zlatko Dalić, speaking on behalf of the awardees, emphasised that Croatian sports and the national team are among the country’s greatest brands, achieved through hard work, behavior, and results. 

Looking forward to the upcoming European Championship, Dalić expressed gratitude for the ongoing support and assured that the team would continue to represent Croatia with dignity.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

The ceremony was attended by President Milanović, his advisors, and other prominent officials, underscoring the significance of the team’s achievements and their impact on the national pride of Croatia.

(Photo: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)

(Photos: Office of the President of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Filip Glas)