[ad_1]
It does not sound like that, but here Ivan Rakitic celebrates his entry into the semifinals of the World Cup Image: EPA / EPA
"Never wanted to wear anything else" – Ivan Rakitic and his love for Croatia -Trikot
With Ivan Rakitic tonight, a Swiss is playing for the World Cup final – for the country of origin of his parents. A key experience can be found in early childhood. When he and his brother received shirts from Croatia
Ivan looks on. A package arrived in the house of the Rakitic family. With Brother Dejan, he inspects the box and finds a Croatian address as the sender. Croatia.
For Ivan Rakitic, this land is a place he calls the homeland, but has never visited in his life. At home, Croatian is spoken and in the village of Rakitics, Aargau Möhlin, many more Croats live. Nevertheless, this country is something that Ivan still does not have at that time.
Luka Rakitic opens the package. "And by the time my father came out of the box, my brother and I knew we would never remove those Croatian shirts again.
"We are a serious contender"
During the World Cup, Rakitic told the "Players Tribune", the online portal for athletes, that even a distant second home suddenly became part of of his life, which sparked love for this red and white checkered jersey.
The story was published the day of the match against Croatia against Argentina. So that day, when Rakitic and Co. dismantled the 3: 0 title favorites and made the whole world understand: We are a serious contender for the title. And in the middle of this team is Rakitic. The little boy, who enthusiastically accepted his father's gift at that time, has now become a world star.
Trained at FC Basel, Rakitic set out to make the pride of all of Switzerland. Even though he decided in 2007 to play for Croatia and not for Switzerland. A decision that resulted in death threats for him and his family.
In Basel, we still hope for a possible return of Ivan Rakitic Photo: KEYSTONE
A decision he made in an interview with "Northwestern Switzerland" last autumn : "It was a decision for Croatia and not against Switzerland." The attraction and efforts of Croatia were simply stronger, but most of the time, I feel like a Swiss. "[19659009Anexception
It is perhaps also why he was forgiven. Eleven years have passed since the moment he telephoned the Swiss association and promised it to Croatian. With the decision, he had made his father cry with joy.His father also wanted to become a footballer, but gave up his career when he escaped to Switzerland. "I've always said that I could live the life he would have liked to have, "says Rakitic.
Rakitic's daughters already wear Croatia's jersey.
And: What in this crazy football family, just having a pro has to be. Rakitic dared not dream that he would be so successful. He became a player that we wish to return to Basel, misses in Seville and has been declared irreplaceable by the great FC Barcelona. He is an exception.
The metronome of a world club and a semifinalist of the world cup. Congenial partner of the genius Luka Modric. Only those who have their level can complement each other. And that's what Rakitic does. Despite all this extra class, he says of himself that he is still "Ivan de Möhlin".
tied with the heroes of 1998
When Rakitic plays for Croatia, his whole village looks at him. NK Pajde – the football club founded by his father – organizes football festivals to watch the hero. Meanwhile, Rakitic is a hero far beyond Möhlin. Thanks to its incredible tranquility, the Croatians are in the semifinals.
In the penalty shoot-out against Denmark and Russia, he inflicted the last penalty – as if there was nothing simpler in this world. As if the burden of hope of a whole nation did not rest on him. Rakitic turns Croatia against Russia in World Cup semi-finals Video: streamable
Rakitic and Co. finally emerged from the shadow of the Golden Generation of 1998 President of the World Cup. current association, Davor Suker. With the semifinal entry, they equalized their success. Suker was one of Rakitic's idols. At the time, when little Ivan was going to sleep every night in his Croatia shirt, he always wore it to school. "It was so special for us, I never wanted to wear anything else."
Even today, Rakitic prefers never to take off his shirt from Croatia. Always keep playing Always go ahead He will certainly play a match after the semifinals at this World Cup Once again, he will put on his shirt, be in the game for the third place or in the grand finale, he will do his utmost to make the final.
More than three games to play
The 10 stages of football hatred for football fanatics
Video: watson / Knackeboul, Madeleine Sigrist, Lya Saxer
