Kovačić Reflects on Croatia's World Cup Exit: 'Disappointed, but Proud of Our Fight'

Croatian national team player Mateo Kovačić shared his profound disappointment and struggle to find words after his team's exit from the World Cup. Following a loss to Portugal, Kovačić took to Instagram to express the team's collective sadness and the difficulty of accepting the outcome, given their belief they could have advanced further.

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I am still struggling to find the right words after the last match. We believed we could go much further, which is why this is so hard to accept.

"Each of us gave everything we had for this jersey," Kovačić wrote on Instagram. He acknowledged the team's departure from the tournament with disappointment but emphasized their pride in the fight they put up for their homeland until the very end. The message conveyed a sense of shared effort and commitment to representing Croatia.

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Each of us gave everything we had for this jersey. We leave this tournament disappointed, but proud of the way we fought for our homeland until the very end.

Kovačić extended heartfelt gratitude to the fans for their constant support, both in the stadiums and from home. He stated that the team felt the fans' backing at every step of their journey. The message concluded with a sincere thank you from the bottom of their hearts, highlighting the importance of the supporters' role throughout the competition.

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To all of you who filled the stadiums, cheered for us, and supported us from home – thank you. We felt your support at every step. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.