He Fled to Germany, Worked Construction, Now Heads to World Cup with Croatia: 'We Are Among the Favorites'

Marco Pašalić, a Croatian national team player and star for Orlando City, is set to represent Croatia at the World Cup, a journey that began far from the typical football success story. Born in Karlsruhe to a Croatian family who fled war in the early 1990s, Pašalić's path to professional football was arduous. While honing his skills in the youth academies of Karlsruher and Hoffenheim, his evenings were spent not resting, but working on construction sites.

His brother ran a construction company, and his father insisted he contribute. After grueling training sessions, Pašalić would work on sites, from laying floors and fixing water damage to cleaning graffiti and hauling debris in 35-degree heat. He sometimes worked night shifts until 3 or 4 a.m., only then allowed to rest before his next training. He would joke with his construction colleagues, "One day I'll play for the Croatian national team," a dream few believed but one he held onto.

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I'll play for the Croatian national team one day.

His football talent eventually led him to the reserve teams of Stuttgart and then Borussia Dortmund. Feeling close to the top, he was promoted to the first team by coach Marco Rose, debuting in the 2021 German Supercup against Bayern Munich. However, a series of injuries, similar to those affecting teammate Giovanni Reyna, halted his momentum. Feeling sad and depressed, far from family and friends, he underwent daily rehabilitation.

When his contract expired, Borussia offered him only a place in the second team. Pašalić knew he had to take a risk. He decided to move to Rijeka, Croatia. After a season and a half with Rijeka, scoring 16 goals in 68 appearances, he received an unmissable offer. In February 2025, Orlando City paid around $5 million for his services, granting him "Designated Player" status. Rijeka secured one of its most profitable transfers, and Orlando City gained a significant reinforcement. Today, Pašalić lives his American dream, excelling for his club and looking forward to his World Cup debut, a culmination of a career that didn't always seem so promising.

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I'm going to Rijeka.