Croatia’s midfield stalwart, Marcelo Brozovic, has made the heartfelt decision to retire from international football after a remarkable career spanning 99 appearances for his country. The Al-Nassr midfielder, who has been instrumental in anchoring Croatia’s midfield, shared this emotional news through a poignant letter posted on social media.
“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 in his Instagram post.
Reflecting on his illustrious journey, Brozovic expressed a sense of fulfillment and a readiness to pass the baton to the next generation. “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,” he continued.
Brozovic’s tenure with the Croatian national team is often hailed as part of the country’s “golden generation” in football. This era was marked by Croatia’s stellar performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they defied expectations to reach the final, only to be bested by France. Croatia’s journey in the recent World Cup saw them knock out Brazil en route to the semi-finals, where they were ultimately defeated by the eventual champions, Argentina.
The star-studded Croatian squad has been graced by the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, both of whom were acknowledged in Brozovic’s farewell message. “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 added, paying tribute to his teammates.
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At 31, Brozovic’s most notable club achievement came during his tenure with Inter Milan. After moving from Dinamo Zagreb for a fee of 5 million euros, Brozovic became integral to Inter’s midfield, appearing in 330 matches for the club over several seasons. His consistent performances eventually led to an 18 million euro transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Despite the commendation he has received for his international career, many fans were left pondering why Brozovic chose to retire at the 99-cap mark instead of completing a milestone 100 appearances. Anticipating such queries, Brozovic addressed this in his farewell message: “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!” he concluded, underlining his contentment and pride.
Brozovic’s retirement from international football marks the end of a significant chapter for him and for Croatian football. This announcement signals a transition for the Croatian national team as they look to nurture new talent to fill the void left by their midfield maestro. The heartfelt tributes and emotional farewell messages showcase the impact Brozovic has had not only on the field but also in the hearts of his teammates and fans.
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As Croatia looks ahead, fans and analysts alike will remember Marcelo Brozovic’s contributions and the tenacity he brought to the midfield. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Croatian footballers aiming to reach the same heights Brozovic so admirably scaled.
