In a heartfelt announcement that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, Croatian midfield general Marcelo Brozovic has officially retired from international football. The announcement, made via a poignant letter on social media, marks the end of a prolific career in which Brozovic was a stalwart for the Croatian national team, amassing 99 appearances.
Currently plying his trade with Al-Nassr, the 31-year-old midfielder has been an indispensable component of Croatia’s midfield, often regarded as the anchor that held the team together. Brozovic’s announcement was nothing short of emotional, as he chose Instagram to convey his thoughts and feelings to his fans and teammates.
“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’s message began.
Reflecting on his storied international career, Brozovic added, “I feel that I have gone through and achieved everything I could have wished for with Croatia and that it is time for new forces that will give that one hundred per cent because that is the only thing good enough when you perform for Croatia.”
Brozovic’s era with the Croatian national team has coincided with what many have termed as the country’s “golden generation.” This team etched its name into the annals of football history by reaching the finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they finished as runners-up to France. They also made headlines during the most recent World Cup by defeating Brazil en route to the semi-finals, where they were eventually ousted by the champions, Argentina.
In his farewell letter, Brozovic made special mention of his teammates Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, both integral figures in Croatia’s midfield alongside him. “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,” he stated.
. Brozovic’s words highlighted the camaraderie and unity that have been the hallmark of this Croatian side.
Brozovic’s career is also celebrated for his contributions at the club level. Most notably, he is remembered for his remarkable stint with Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan. Brozovic joined Inter from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb for a fee of 5 million euros. Over the years, he became a central figure for the Milan-based club, making 330 appearances before making a high-profile move to Al-Nassr for 18 million euros.
As fans and pundits alike digest the news of his retirement, one question has perplexed many: Why not wait to earn the milestone 100th cap? Addressing this curious point, Brozovic remarked, “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!”
Brozovic’s decision to retire at 99 caps rather than pushing for the century mark illustrates the personal satisfaction and contentment he has derived from his international career. His departure signifies the end of an era for Croatian football, promising to forever enshrine his legacy in the hearts of the fans.
The Croatian national team now finds itself at a crossroads, poised to move forward with new blood while attempting to live up to a golden era that set the bar exceptionally high. Brozovic leaves a gaping void in the midfield, but his words echo the sentiment that the future is bright for Croatian football. His parting message was a mix of gratitude and optimism, urging the new generation to keep pushing forward with the same fervor and passion that defined his career.
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