Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, widely regarded as the linchpin of Croatia’s midfield, has announced his retirement from international football. The 31-year-old Al-Nassr player recently shared an emotional letter on social media, officially concluding his international career having remarkably appeared 99 times for the Croatian national team.
“You know me well enough to know that I’m not one for many words, so actually just one number would be enough for this farewell letter. 99. I had the honour of playing for the Croatian national football team so many times, and I will end my national team career with that number,” Brozovic wrote on Instagram.
Brozovic’s departure ends an illustrious chapter of a player whose resilience, vision, and unparalleled work ethic defined Croatia’s midfield for years. Regardless of the timing, his retirement carries significant weight as it marks the end of an era for a team often hailed as Croatia’s golden generation.
Known for their robust tactical discipline and compelling performances, this generation took center stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They dauntlessly marched to the finals, captivating the footballing world with their spirited run until they met a formidable French side that halted their dreams. Their journey in the 2022 World Cup was equally commendable, seeing them eliminate Brazil and reaching the semi-finals, eventually losing to champions Argentina.
Throughout his career, Brozovic has played alongside some of the finest talents in Croatian football, including Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, both of whom he acknowledged in his heartfelt farewell.
“It’s hard to say goodbye to the national team for many reasons, but for one reason I’ve been struggling for so long. It’s hard to say goodbye to Luka and Kova, with whom I’ve been through so much and with whom it was an incredible pleasure to play. And to everyone else, because we knew how to go one hundred per cent on the field,” Brozovic noted.
Brozovic’s journey in professional football started with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb before he made a significant move to Italian giants Inter Milan for 5 million euros.
. At Inter Milan, he established himself as a critical player, featuring in 330 games over the years. His performances caught the eye of many, eventually leading to an 18 million euro transfer to Al-Nassr, where he currently plays.
Addressing the inevitable question as to why he retired before reaching the 100-game milestone for Croatia, Brozovic clarified, “Someone will ask, ‘Well, who is so crazy to say goodbye to exactly 99 performances’? It is more than I could have wished for, and it was better and more successful than I could have dreamed. And that’s why those 99 are epic! Love you Broz!”
Reflecting on his national team career, Brozovic emphasized the significance of unity and effort that characterized their remarkable journeys in global tournaments. The camaraderie shared with teammates like Modric and Kovacic underscored the strong, familial bonds within the squad, an element critical to their successes.
His departure, while inevitable, brings into focus the importance of new and emerging talents who can continue the tradition of excellence that Brozovic and his peers have set. Brozovic’s acknowledgment of the need for fresh forces to bring their 100 per cent effort to the national team resonates deeply with the ethos of Croatian football, which places a premium on passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
His decision, communicated with characteristic humility and grace, serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional ties that bind players to their national teams. Brozovic’s legacy, evidenced by his significant contributions both on and off the pitch, will undoubtedly inspire future Croatian midfielders.
As Marcelo Brozovic transitions to focus on his club career with Al-Nassr, his absence will be felt profoundly by fans and teammates alike. A maestro in midfield, his tactical intelligence, and dynamic play have left an indelible mark on Croatian football. Brozovic’s narrative is not just about his 99 appearances or the accolades he has amassed, but it’s about the spirit he embodied every time he donned the Croatian jersey—a spirit that will continue to inspire and resonate deeply within the footballing community.
This news is sourced from a third-party syndicated feed, and while it’s been shared here for its importance and relevance, Mid-day does not take responsibility for the reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management reserves the sole right to alter, delete, or remove the content at its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
