Severina and Igor Štimac are now at odds. See how they once sang together

A newly resurfaced video shows a very different relationship between singer Severina and former Croatia international Igor Štimac. In footage released by Croatian Radiotelevision for its centenary celebrations, the two share a stage during the jubilant welcome for Croatia’s national team after its bronze-medal finish at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Tens of thousands of fans filled the square as the celebrated generation of the Vatreni appeared with coach Miroslav “Ćiro” Blažević. At one point, the players joined Severina at the microphone while she performed her hit “Djevojka sa sela.” Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban and Štimac sang along.

The sight of Štimac enjoying the performance beside Severina has drawn particular attention because their relationship is now marked by public arguments and mutual accusations on social media. Their latest clash followed Severina’s call for the “Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia” protest, organized over an environmental disaster involving hazardous waste.

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Andrej Plenković’s father was also in the party, mine was not... Just like the father of the former footballer, now coach, who acts smart on Facebook.

In her appeal, Severina criticized Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Štimac, linking them to the former communist system. Štimac responded with a photograph of himself with his father and accused her of using a serious pollution issue for self-promotion. “It is shameful that you use this serious issue of Lika’s pollution for your own promotion by mentioning my honorable late father,” he wrote, while telling her to stick to singing.

The contrast between the shared celebration in 1998 and the bitter exchanges today has made the archival clip a pointed reminder of how far their relationship has changed.

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With pathetic attempts at manipulation and cheap tricks, you are trying to curry favor with the people... It is shameful that you use this serious issue of Lika’s pollution for your own promotion by mentioning my honorable late father.