The man who made a historic feat for Croatia in 1990: 'In secret, through connections and acquaintances'

Ivan John Opačak, an 84-year-old Croatian-Canadian living in Mississauga, Canada, is a pivotal, albeit behind-the-scenes, figure in the early days of the Croatian national football team. Known as Lega, he was a close associate of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) during the era of Vedriš and Srebrić. Lega, who never sought official positions, always emphasized the importance of being remembered for his contributions.

In 1990, Lega was one of the key individuals who helped establish the Croatian national team. Through his extensive network of contacts, he facilitated a remarkable event: the U.S. national team's visit to Zagreb on October 17, 1990. This friendly match was a crucial step in building the foundation for Croatia's independent football representation.

Lega is currently ill and resides in a care home, where he receives constant medical attention. His 31-year-old son, Adam Opačak, visits him daily and shares that his father's health fluctuates. Adam recounts how his father's life revolved around the Croatian national team, with players like Asanović and Šuker being frequent guests in their home. Adam notes that while his father is Croatian, he adopted a Canadian mentality, easily forming friendships with influential people through golf and tennis, which ultimately led to the Croatia-USA match.

Adam cherishes memories of watching the 1998 World Cup semi-final against England with his father, followed by celebrations in the streets of Mississauga with hundreds of other Croatians. He describes it as an unforgettable experience, with some people even blocking streets with tractors in their excitement. He recalls his father being overwhelmed with emotion and happiness. Adam also mentioned bringing his father to a hotel in 2020 for a documentary filming about the Croatia-USA match, even after Lega had undergone a severe surgery with a low survival rate.

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Ma ono polufinale s Englezima moja je najljepša uspomena s tatom. Gledali smo utakmicu u mom stanu, a poslije izašli na ulice zajedno sa stotinama Hrvata i slavili plasman u finale Svjetskog prvenstva.