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Petar Sučić emerges as Croatia’s new leader, and Real Madrid knows it too

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Petar Sučić impressed during Croatia’s World Cup campaign with a goal, an assist and performances that earned praise from Zlatko Dalić and Cristiano Ronaldo.
  • The midfielder has become a symbol of Croatia’s future despite the team’s early elimination.
  • Sučić, who grew up near Bugojno and developed through Zrinjski and Dinamo, says he avoids social media and prefers family life.

Petar Sučić cried after Croatia’s elimination by Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo walked over, embraced him and told him he was a fantastic player who should keep working hard. In that moment, the young midfielder’s path to the world stage seemed condensed into a single gesture of recognition.

Croatia did not advance, but Sučić’s tournament offered a powerful sign for the future. In only three group-stage matches, the Inter midfielder introduced himself to a global audience with one goal and one assist. He created Martin Baturina’s opening goal against England after an intelligent feint, then took responsibility himself against Ghana.

On a waterlogged pitch, Sučić struck an unstoppable shot from almost 25 meters. He celebrated by placing the ball under his shirt in honor of his pregnant wife. The goal made him Croatia’s second-youngest World Cup scorer, behind only Joško Gvardiol.

I don’t have social media profiles. I don’t like wasting time on it. I prefer real life. After matches and training, I need to relax with my family.

· Petar SučićHe explained why he avoids social media and chooses family life instead.

Coach Zlatko Dalić called Sučić one of the players who became indispensable remarkably quickly. He praised the midfielder’s technique, work ethic, character and quality. Sučić stands apart from athletes who carefully build public profiles: he has no Instagram, X or TikTok account. “I don’t have social media profiles. I don’t like wasting time on it. I prefer real life,” he said, adding that he would rather relax with his family after matches and training.

That grounded outlook comes from his childhood on a small farm in Kandija, a village near Bugojno. Sučić recalled helping his father milk cows and said his grandmother paid for his first football school, while his father encouraged him to use both feet. His route from Bugojno through Zrinjski to Dinamo has now carried him into the orbit of world football, offering Croatia firm foundations for the era after Luka Modrić.

Sučić is one of those players who became indispensable incredibly quickly. He has technique, he works hard, and he has character and quality.

· Zlatko DalićCroatia’s coach praised Sučić’s rapid rise within the national team.
About this summary

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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