croatian association football musician

Mario Mandžukić ( croatian pronunciation : [ mâːrio mǎndʒukitɕ ] ; [ 3 ] born 21 May 1986 ) is a croatian football coach and a former player who played as a forward. He is presently an assistant to Zlatko Dalić in the Croatia home team. He became known for his aggressiveness, defensive contribution and forward pass art. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] He started his career in his hometown clubhouse Marsonia from where he moved to two croatian capital city football clubs, first joining NK Zagreb and then signing with Dinamo Zagreb in 2007, where he was Prva HNL peak goalscorer in the 2008–09 season. His prolific seduce earned him a transfer to VfL Wolfsburg in 2010. After some impressive performances at UEFA Euro 2012, where he was the joint top scorer, he was signed by Bayern Munich. In his first base temper with the club he won three trophies ; the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League, while besides becoming the first croatian to score in a Champions League final examination. After winning a domestic doubly the following season, he left Bayern for Atlético Madrid in 2014, and a season belated was signed by Juventus for €19 million, where he won the domestic double in his first three seasons, followed by another league title the stick to year. In the 2017 Champions League Final, he scored his irregular Champions League final finish, an overhead kick arching past the custodian that earned him UEFA Goal of the Season prize. Mandžukić left Juventus in December 2019 for Qatari side Al-Duhail ; however, after struggling to adapt, he terminated his contract and returned to Italy in January 2021, signing with Milan. He retired in September of the same year, despite receiving two proposals to sign for clubs as a barren agent.

At international charge, Mandžukić was given his debut for Croatia in November 2007 under coach Slaven Bilić. He participated in four major tournaments with his national side, Euro 2012, the 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, and the 2018 World Cup, reaching the final examination of the latter tournament, after which he retired from external football. In total, he made 89 international appearances, and with 33 goals, he is the Croatia national team ‘s moment most prolific scorer of all time, behind Davor Šuker. He was named croatian Footballer of the year in 2012 and 2013. [ 7 ]

Club career [edit ]

young and early career [edit ]

Mandžukić started playing football in Germany, where he and his parents relocated to due to the Croatian War of Independence. [ 8 ] In 1992, he joined german club TSF Ditzingen, near Stuttgart. Upon returning to his home country, the newly mugwump Croatia, he spent the period between 1996 and 2003 at NK Marsonia before spending a season at the city minnows NK Željezničar. The following season, he returned to Marsonia and in the summer of 2005 he made a move to NK Zagreb .

Dinamo Zagreb [edit ]

Mandžukić playing for Dinamo Zagreb in July 2008. In the summer of 2007, Mandžukić was bought by the Croatian powerhouse Dinamo Zagreb for €1.3 million as a surrogate for their Arsenal -bound star topology striker Eduardo district attorney silva. [ 9 ] Upon his arrival, he managed to secure his spot in starting football team, playing by and large in the status of second striker. On 4 October 2007, he put on an impressive operation against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam when he scored two goals in extra-time to secure Dinamo ‘s 2–3 away winnings, as Dinamo qualified for the group stage of 2007–08 UEFA Cup. He finished his first temper at Dinamo with 12 goals and 11 assists throughout 29 matches, but besides had a poor discipline commemorate, collecting eight jaundiced cards. He started the 2008–09 season with two goals against Linfield in a qualifier for the UEFA Cup. In the 2008–09 Prva HNL, Mandžukić was the league ‘s top goalscorer, bagging 16 goals in 28 appearances. He besides scored three goals in the season ‘s UEFA Cup. This was the temper of his rise in the croatian national team adenine good, as he collected eight caps in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. After the 2008–09 season had finished, he was linked with german slope Werder Bremen, but the €12 million offer was rejected by the Dinamo board, who were of public opinion that Mandžukić ‘s worth was at least €15 million. He started the 2009–10 season by scoring a goal in a Champions League play-off match against Red Bull Salzburg. Mandžukić received red poster in the last minutes of the plot. After he told the reviewer that he got hit by the bottle that person threw from the stands, he gave him his second yellow card and ruled him out of the game. On 17 September 2009, after Dinamo lost 2–0 at home to Anderlecht in Europa League, Mandžukić was controversially fined €100,000 after being accused of poor people campaign. [ 10 ] It was the first gear time in the history of the club that a actor was financially fined. [ 11 ] On 20 September, Mandžukić captained Dinamo to a 6–0 victory against HNK Rijeka in Prva HNL. In a post–match interview, Mandžukić rejected any guess about him leaving the club after the finely, stating that it was his childhood dream to captain the Dinamo side and that he gives his best in any pit he plays for the club. During that temper, he appeared in 24 league matches, scoring 14 goals. He appeared in five Europa League matches adenine well .

Wolfsburg [edit ]

On 14 July 2010, Mandžukić signed for VfL Wolfsburg for a fee believed to be around €7 million. [ 12 ] Upon his arrival, in the foremost half of the 2010–11 season, he played regularly but largely coming on as a alternate. At the clock, he was largely used as leave winger under passenger car Steve McClaren, who played with only one striker, Edin Džeko. Things changed for Mandžukić, however, after the deviation of Džeko to Manchester City in January 2011. Mandžukić scored his inaugural Bundesliga goal for Wolfsburg on Matchday 26 against 1. FC Nürnberg under interim coach Pierre Littbarski. Upon the arrival of director Felix Magath, Mandžukić was played in his natural position as striker. In the last seven matches of the domestic season, he scored eight goals, two of which came in the last match against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and were crucial for the club as they avoided relegation. In his second season in Wolfsburg, he became a regular starter in the Bundesliga and was the cabaret ‘s top goalscorer with 12 goals. In his two years at Wolfsburg, he scored 20 times in 56 appearances, establishing himself as one of Wolfsburg ‘s best players during his last out and promptly becoming a fan favorite due to his goalscoring ability and position .

Bayern Munich [edit ]

On 26 June, Mandžukić signed a abridge with Bundesliga baseball club Bayern Munich for a transmit tip of €13 million, [ 13 ] pending a medical test, subsequent to his strong operation at UEFA Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland, and because of his fantastic form for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. On 27 June, the transfer was formally announced by Bayern Munich. [ 14 ] [ 15 ]

2012–13 season [edit ]

Mandžukić playing for Bayern Munich in August 2012. On 24 July 2012, Mandžukić made his debut for Bayern in a 6–0 succeed against taiwanese Super League side Beijing Guoan, scoring the fifth goal in the friendly equal in the 79th hour. On 12 August, he scored his first goal in an official game against reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund in the sixth minute, helping his team win the german DFL Supercup. He scored his beginning league goal for Bayern against Greuther Fürth on matchday one and added another one the next matchday in a 6–1 winnings against VfB Stuttgart. He went on to score twice against his former golf club Wolfsburg. Mandžukić then added four more goals in five more Bundesliga matches, taking his reckoning to nine goals in 11 matches in the german top tier. After the Bundesliga winter break, Mandžukić continued with his goal score activeness, netting three more goals in first two games, against Greuther Fürth and Stuttgart. He scored another pair against 1. FSV Mainz 05. He finished his first Bundesliga season with Bayern as the cabaret ‘s top goalscorer, netting a sum of 15 goals in 24 matches and having a major shock in winning the Bundesliga title. He scored his first Champions League finish of the season in the Round of 16 peer against Arsenal. He netted another one in the quarter-final peer against Juventus in Turin, giving Bayern the 0–1 away lead. On 25 May, Bayern faced Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final and Mandžukić scored the beginning goal of the peer, giving Bayern a 1–0 lead in 60th minute. Bayern went on to win the match 2–1 after a belated finish from Arjen Robben. With this goal, Mandžukić became the beginning Croat to score in a Champions League final crippled and it capped a highly successful first season for him in Munich, as the cabaret completed a double -winning season, claiming the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB-Pokal, vitamin a well as the german Supercup at the start of the campaign .

2013–14 season [edit ]

Mandžukić first began the season slowly, having small issues adjusting to newly Bayern coach Pep Guardiola ‘s system. Guardiola changed Bayern ‘s formation from the 4–2–3–1 they had used previously under Jupp Heynckes to a modern 4–1–4–1 manner. While it took a bit of clock time to adjust, Mandžukić regained his form however in fourth dimension for league toy. He opened the new season in the Bundesliga by scoring two goals in two league appearances. Mandžukić scored his foremost Champions League goal of the season when Bayern Munich began the defense of their Champions League style against CSKA Moscow with a 3–0 victory at the Allianz Arena. He headed the alone goal as Bayern defeated a valiant FC Viktoria Plzeň in November to move into the hard stages with a record-equalling one-ninth consecutive UEFA Champions League succeed. Mandžukić scored his one-tenth goal of the new Bundesliga season in a December match against Hamburger SV. In the first semi-final of 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, Mandžukić dove low to head Thiago Alcantara ‘s cross into goal for 2–0 against Guangzhou Evergrande. He finally won the contest with Bayern after the final examination with Raja Casablanca, ended with a 2–0 victory. Upon the Bundesliga winter break, Mandžukić was left out of the Bayern Munich 18-man roll in their match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, with Guardiola reportedly unimpressed with his performances in train. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] He returned to the team for the adjacent match against VfB Stuttgart. A week late, against Eintracht Frankfurt, Mandžukić delivered a answer with a command performance in Bayern ‘s 5–0 gain, scoring the last goal of the match and delivering a pinpoint pass to Mario Götze who opened the score. [ 18 ] On 12 February, Mandžukić scored his first hat-trick of the temper, as Bayern Munich eased their way into the DFB-Pokal semi-final with a 5–0 rout of Hamburger SV. [ 19 ] In the match against Hannover 96, Mandžukić celebrated his hundredth Bundesliga appearance by meeting Rafinha ‘s cross to complete the goal. [ 20 ] Despite being the club ‘s lead scorekeeper with 26 goals, Mandžukić was dropped from the team by Guardiola ahead of the 2014 DFB-Pokal Final. [ 21 ] Mandžukić stated that he wanted to leave Bayern because “ the play style of coach Pep Guardiola plainly does not fit ” him. [ 22 ]

Atlético Madrid [edit ]

Mandžukić with Atlético Madrid in October 2014. On 10 July 2014, Mandžukić signed a four-year batch with the spanish golf club Atlético Madrid for an undisclosed fee. [ 23 ] On 24 July, Mandžukić was presented to Atlético Madrid fans at Vicente Calderón, wearing the numeral 9 shirt. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] He made his competitive debut in the inaugural stage of the 2014 Supercopa de España on 19 August, a 1–1 pull away to Real Madrid, in which he played 78 minutes before being replaced by mate debutant Raúl Jiménez. [ 26 ] In the second leg at Vicente Calderón, Mandžukić scored his first competitive finish for the club, netting the achiever after equitable two minutes. [ 27 ] It was the quickest finish in the contest. [ 28 ] Mandžukić scored his beginning league goal against SD Eibar, on 30 August, as Atlético recorded their first win of the new Primera División season. [ 29 ] In the opening couple of the newfangled Champions League campaign, against Olympiacos, Mandžukić collected Cristian Ansaldi ‘s cross and sent home a close-range header into the buttocks corner to make it 1–2, in eventual 2–3 loss. [ 30 ] Mandžukić helped Atlético move within two points of joint-league leaders Barcelona and Sevilla on 26 October when he tapped in Arda Turan ‘s traverse to score the lonely goal in a acquire over Getafe. [ 31 ] After returning to military action sporting a facemask, he went from strength to lastingness, bagging 14 goals in all competitions before the winter bankrupt – including a arresting hat trick against Olympiacos in the reappearance group stage game at the Calderon on 26 November, which ensured a position in the Champions League hard stage. [ 32 ] Mandžukić scored his 11th La Liga goal of the season in his 19th appearance, in Los Colchoneros emphatic 4–0 victory over local rivals very Madrid in the second base league bowler hat of the season, when sport analysts noted that Mandžukić put in one of the big centre-forward displays seen in La Liga in late years, contributing to everything that was dependable about his side before putting the frost on the patty with a well-taken fourthly. In sum, Mandžukić bagged 20 goals in 43 appearances in his only temper in Madrid, living up to his image of hard-working and rise goal scorekeeper. [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ]

Juventus [edit ]

On 22 June 2015, Serie A champions Juventus announced that Mandžukić joined the club from Atlético Madrid on a four-year contract for a fee of € 19 million collectible in three installments, including a possible supernumerary €2 million in performance-related add-ons. [ 36 ]

2015–16 season [edit ]

On 8 August he scored the first step goal in the 69th minute for Juventus with a header against Lazio in the 2015 Supercoppa Italiana, a 2–0 win in Shanghai. [ 37 ] On 23 August 2015, he made an official league debut for Juventus, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 loss to Udinese, in the foremost league game of the 2015–16 Serie A season. [ 38 ] On 21 September 2015, it was confirmed that Mandžukić would be out for three weeks following a thigh relate wound the day before in a 2–0 gain over Genoa. [ 39 ] however, he returned early, scoring Juventus ‘s first goal, and irregular equalizer, as the team came from behind to win 2–1 away against Manchester City, during their opening peer of the Champions League group stage, on 15 September 2015. [ 40 ] On 25 October 2015, Mandžukić scored the final goal in Juventus ‘s 2–0 base acquire over Atalanta in the 49th moment ; this was his foremost Serie A goal in his 6th league appearance with the club. [ 41 ] He scored again two games late, helping Juventus to defeat Empoli 3–1. [ 42 ] On 25 November 2015, Mandžukić scored the winning finish in a 1–0 home gain over Manchester City in the second peg of the Champions League group phase, to secure the cabaret a spot in the round of golf of 16. [ 43 ] due to these significant goals, american samoa well as another matchless in a 3–0 away win against Palermo on 29 November, [ 44 ] he was voted Juventus player of the month for November 2015. [ 45 ] On 27 January 2016, Mandžukić sustained a muscle injury during the beginning semi-final leg of the Coppa Italia against Inter Milan, putting him on the sidelines for four weeks. It was initially feared that he would miss the first round of 16 leg of the Champions League against his former club, Bayern Munich. [ 46 ] however, he returned to action in the first place than expected, starting in the match against Bayern on 23 February, and setting up Paulo Dybala ‘s goal in a 2–2 home drawing card. [ 47 ]

2016–17 season [edit ]

Mandžukić ‘s second season with Juventus was peculiarly celebrated, as he was much played out of position by the club ‘s director Massimiliano Allegri ; throughout the 2016–17 season, he chiefly served as a leave winger, preferably than as an out and out striker, a status which he normally occupied in the past. Although his goalscoring rate decreased, he drew praise in the media for his work-rate, versatility, consistency, and for the overall high quality of his performances in this modern function. [ 48 ] On 25 May 2017, Mandžukić signed a contract elongation that would keep him at the club until 2020. [ 49 ] On 3 June, Mandžukić started in the Champions League Final. He scored the equalising goal in the 27th infinitesimal, barely seven minutes after Cristiano Ronaldo ‘s goal gave Real Madrid the lead. Mandžukić chested down a ball from Gonzalo Higuaín and hooked the ball over his shoulder from 15 yards ( 14 thousand ), [ 50 ] which arced over Keylor Navas in final. The finish was heralded as one of the best goals ever scored in a Champions League final examination, and was compared to Zinedine Zidane ‘s goal in the 2002 concluding for real Madrid ; [ 51 ] but Juventus were ultimately defeated 4–1. [ 52 ] Mandžukić ‘s bicycle kick goal against Real Madrid went on to win the 2016–17 UEFA Goal of the Season award. [ 53 ]

2017–18 season [edit ]

On 31 October 2017, Mandžukić made his hundredth appearance for Juventus in a 1–1 aside draw against Sporting in the UEFA Champions League. [ 54 ] [ 55 ] On 11 April 2018, he scored two goals in 3–1 away win against real Madrid in the quarter-finals of Champions League. The first goal scored after 76 seconds became the fastest finish Real Madrid conceded in Champions League base crippled and was the first opposition player to score a first-half double in a Champions League match at the Bernabeu. [ 56 ]

2018–19 season

[edit ]

On 25 August 2018, Mandžukić scored his first finish of the 2018–19 season in a 2–0 home succeed over Lazio. [ 57 ] On 6 October, he made his hundredth appearance in Serie A with the club in a 2–0 away win over Udinese, setting up the second goal of the peer scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. [ 58 ] [ 59 ] On 24 November, Mandžukić captained the first team in a 2–0 home win over SPAL, scoring his sixth finish of the season. [ 60 ] Three days belated, on 27 November, he scored his first finish of the Champions League temper in a 1–0 dwelling gain against Valencia, assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo. [ 61 ] italian newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport and La Stampa noted the emerging symbiosis between Mandžukić and Ronaldo, described as an unexpected tandem of power and skill. [ 62 ] [ 63 ] [ 64 ] On 4 April 2019, Mandžukić extended his contract with Juventus until 2021. [ 65 ]
With the arrival of fresh Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri in the summer of 2019, Mandžukić was sidelined after being excluded from the coach ‘s plans. As a result, he was besides omitted from Juventus ‘s Champions League police squad, aboard teammate Emre Can. After failing to make a single appearance for the club during the 2019–20 temper, he agreed to join Qatari side Al-Duhail on 24 December. [ 66 ] [ 67 ] On 29 December, the transmit was made official. [ 68 ] He made his league debut on 4 January 2020 in a scoreless pull with Qatar SC. [ 69 ] He scored his first goal for the golf club on 10 January in a 2–0 winnings over Al-Sailiya in Qatar Cup. [ 70 ] On 11 February 2020, he made his debut and scored his debut goal in the AFC Champions League, scoring the opener in a group stage 2–0 home victory over Persepolis. [ 71 ] On 5 July 2020, after ten-spot appearances and two goals overall, Mandžukić terminated his abridge with the Qatari side by common accept. [ 72 ]

milan [edit ]

Following the contract result, respective clubs showed interest for signing Mandžukić, including Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, Lokomotiv Moscow, Milan, Benevento, Hellas Verona, Fiorentina, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Marseille, Wolfsburg, Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04. [ 73 ] [ 74 ] [ 75 ] On 19 January 2021, Mandžukić joined Serie A clubhouse Milan on a contract until the end of the season, with the option of a far year. [ 76 ] He made his league debut on 23 January in a 3–0 kill to Atalanta. [ 77 ] due to recurring injuries that impaired his physical conditions and a poor form, Mandžukić made good 11 appearances for Milan, largely as a substitute, with no goals scored. On 24 May 2021, Mandžukić announced his passing from Milan as the club management had not extended his contract. [ 78 ] On 3 September 2021, Mandžukić announced his retirement. [ 79 ]

International career [edit ]

After putting together a string of solid performances in the 2007–08 Prva HNL, vitamin a good as in Dinamo ‘s UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup matches, Mandžukić earned a call–up to the croatian national team, for which he debuted in a game against Macedonia on 17 November 2007. [ 80 ] On 10 September 2008, he scored his foremost ever goal for Croatia in a 4–1 dwelling loss against England in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying catch. [ 81 ]

euro 2012 [edit ]

Mandžukić ‘s influence in the national team increased during the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying. His first finish of the campaign came in June 2011, when he scored an equalizer against Georgia at the Stadion Poljud. He added another header against Latvia in the last match of the qualifiers. With Croatia finishing second in their group, they had to face Turkey in the Euro 2012 play-offs. In the first match played in Istanbul, Croatia stunned the family fans by winning 0–3, with Mandžukić scoring the second base goal from a heading in the 32nd infinitesimal of the match. Mandžukić was one of two of coach Slaven Bilić ‘s first choice strikers for Croatia at UEFA Euro 2012, being paired with the Everton striker Nikica Jelavić. He scored twice in Croatia ‘s opening 3–1 win against the Republic of Ireland, [ 82 ] and besides scored in a 1–1 draw against Italy the succeed match. [ 83 ] Despite Croatia ‘s group-stage passing, he was the joint-top scorer of the tournament with three goals aboard Mario Balotelli, Fernando Torres, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alan Dzagoev, and future Bayern teammate Mario Gómez. [ 84 ]

2014 FIFA World Cup [edit ]

He opened the 2014 FIFA World Cup reservation by providing two assists in the first two matches, against Macedonia in Zagreb and against Belgium in Brussels. He scored his first goal of the crusade against Wales in Osijek. Mandžukić added another finish to his match in qualification match against Serbia, giving Croatia a 1–0 run, in Zagreb. He besides scored in the second match between the two sides in Belgrade. In the second peg of Croatia ‘s play-off equal against Iceland in Zagreb, Mandžukić gave Croatia the jumper cable in an eventual 2–0 succeed. however, he later received a red circuit board after a foolhardy high tackle on Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson connected with the Icelandic midfielder ‘s left knee. [ 85 ] Mandžukić was named in Croatia ‘s police squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but was suspended for the team ‘s first couple against the host nation in São Paulo on 12 June 2014. [ 86 ] He returned to the team for their second pit against Cameroon on 18 June, and marked his introduction at the World Cup scoring doubly in a 4–0 winnings, [ 87 ] being awarded the “ Man of the Match ” award. [ 88 ]

euro 2016 [edit ]

Mandžukić scored once in Croatia ‘s successful UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, opening a 1–1 home withdraw with Italy in Split on 12 June 2015. [ 89 ] The following 4 June, both he and Nikola Kalinić scored hat-tricks in a 10–0 warm-up succeed against San Marino in Rijeka ahead of the tournament ; the result was a criminal record victory for Croatia. [ 90 ]

2018 FIFA World Cup [edit ]

On 6 October 2016, Mandžukić scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 gain over Kosovo in Shkodër for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, the opponents ‘ first competitive game as the home team. [ 91 ] On 4 June 2018, Mandžukić was named to Croatia ‘s final examination 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. [ 92 ] In the open game against Nigeria, he caused Oghenekaro Etebo ‘s own goal and won a penalty, that was successfully converted by Luka Modrić, as the game ended as a 2–0 win for Croatia. [ 93 ] During the side ‘s round-of-16 match against Denmark on 1 July, he scored the equalising goal in the 4th minute of free rein ; following a 1–1 pull after extra-time, Croatia prevailed 3–2 in the resulting penalty shoot-out. [ 94 ] [ 95 ] [ 96 ] [ 97 ] In the quarter-finals against hosts Russia on 7 July, Mandžukić provided an serve in the beginning one-half of regulation time for Andrej Kramarić ‘s counterweight. A 1–1 pull after 90 minutes saw the match go into extra-time, and following a 2–2 draw after 120 minutes of shimmer, Croatia once again progressed to the future cycle in the ensuing shoot-out, winning 4–3 on penalties. [ 98 ] [ 99 ] During Croatia ‘s semi-final match against England on 11 July, with the mark tied at 1–1 after regulation time, Mandžukić scored the match-winning goal in 109th minute to give Croatia a 2–1 victory, sending the team to the World Cup final examination for the first clock time in their history. [ 100 ] In the final against France on 15 July, he became the first player ever to score an own goal in a World Cup final, when he headed Antoine Griezmann ‘s free-kick into his own net to give France a 1–0 lead ; he later scored Croatia ‘s moment goal by chasing down and capitalizing on an mistake from french goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, as the couple finally ended in a 4–2 get the better of. [ 101 ] With that goal, Mario Mandžukić became the second musician in World Cup history to score for both teams in a single match ( the first being Ernie Brandts of the Netherlands in a 1978 World Cup match against Italy ) and the first to do thus in a final. [ 102 ]

retirement [edit ]

On 14 August 2018, Mandžukić announced his retirement from international football. [ 103 ] [ 104 ] At the fourth dimension of his retirement, he was the moment highest goalscorer in the history of the Croatia national team with 33 goals. In his affirmation, Mandžukić wrote about the 2018 World Cup flatware decoration :

We have made our dream come true, achieved a historic achiever, and experienced improbable subscribe. That month, including the welcome in Zagreb, Slavonski Brod, and the integral Croatia, will remain the most important memory of my career. This has been the most beautiful national team journey, and my favored render to homeland. I am more than happy, fulfilled, and highly proud of this silver, that has been forged through years, through annoyance, campaign, work, disappointment, and difficult moments. There is no ideal moment to retire. If possible, we would all play for Croatia until we die, since there is no gallant feeling, but I feel this moment has come for me – now. I ‘ve given my best for Croatia, I have contributed to the biggest success of croatian football. [ 105 ]

style of play [edit ]

In addition to his goalscoring, pundits noted Mandžukić for his physical potency, versatility, mobility and fitness, equally well as his ability in the air out. [ 5 ] He was even given the dub Đilkoš [ dʑîːlkoʃ ] by Miroslav Blažević, which means brash and bumpkinly, referring to the striker ‘s physical strengths, potent human body and apparently endless stamen, rather than his technical foul ability ; [ 106 ] his other nicknames included Mandžo and Super Mario. [ 107 ] [ 108 ] [ 109 ] Known for his high work-rate and defensive contribution, [ 4 ] Mandžukić ‘s former coach at Wolfsburg, Felix Magath, noted his survival, stating that the striker was “ indeed fit that I think he could play two back-to-back games without stopping even for a minute. ” [ 110 ]
Following his move to Atlético Madrid, Sky Sports analyst Adam Bate wrote that he was the perfect equip for coach Diego Simeone ‘s expressive style as Mandžukić was “ often the instigator of the press with his energetic run, Mandzukic battles defences, driving them back to create space for teammates deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as preventing opponents building patiently without press on the ball. ” [ 110 ] Bate far added that the Croatian was “ … both a physical and mobile striker who does much of his best employment without the ball, apparently doing the oeuvre of two players and frankincense allowing an extra man in midfield. ” [ 110 ] ESPN FC subscriber Michael Cox besides praised Mandžukić for his excellent team-work, highlighting that while he pressed his opponents energetically when they attempted to play the ball out from the back, he was besides highly diligent and disciplined in the manner in which he dropped back into his own half to defend behind the testis if his opponents managed to bypass his team ‘s press. [ 111 ] In 2014, Aleksandar Holiga commented on Mandžukić ‘s meet, stating that “ [ henry ] east stretches the defences with constant apparent motion and apparently endless stamina, opening quad for others to come from behind or cut inside from the annex ; his pressing on the ball has proven critical on a number of previous occasions and he is, of run, one of the best strikers in the world when it comes to forward pass power. thus even if he does not score himself, his bearing could be key for the team ‘s chances. ” [ 112 ] While he chiefly served as a hitter or as target-man in the penalty sphere, courtesy of his height, aerial art, and physical force, [ nota bene 1 ] Mandžukić ‘s work-rate, generosity, tactical intelligence, and versatility were demonstrated by his willingness to play in many unlike positions across or behind the front line ; throughout his career, he was besides deployed as a winger, as a irregular striker, as an attacking midfielder, or even as a wing-back, positions which allowed him the freedom to attack from deeply or wider areas with his runs, support and link-up with his more nauseating teammates, draw opponents out of place with his movement, and cover defensively for full-backs making overlapping attacking runs. indeed, in finical during his time at Juventus under coach Massimiliano Allegri, competition from other forwards often saw Mandžukić being used in these deeper or wider, more creative roles, in particular on the left field flank, in which he excelled, drawing praise from the media for his systematically high-quality performances, because of his ability to hold up the ball with his back to goal and play off of his teammates, or drop into midfield to help win back the ball when his team were not in possession. He was besides required to function as a “ wide-eyed target man ” on the left side of the pitch occasion, ascribable to his movement and work-rate, a well as his ability to utilise his height to win aeriform challenges, or use his military capability and solid proficiency to hold up the ball for teammates and create space or chances for them ; in this situation, he basically played a hybrid of the roles of a target homo, left winger, and left-back. [ niobium 2 ] In addition to his ability as a football player, Mandžukić was besides known for his determination, leadership, and mental forte, [ 120 ] [ 135 ] and had been described as a “ big-game musician ” in the media, due to his tendency to score decisive goals in significant matches for both baseball club and country. [ 136 ] As such, during his time in Italy, he earned the nickname “ guerriero ” ( “ warrior, ” in italian ) from the Juventus fans. [ 137 ] His play style has been compared to that of compatriot Alen Bokšić, who besides played as a ahead for Juventus. [ 113 ]

personal biography [edit ]

Mandžukić was born in Slavonski Brod, contemporary Croatia, on 21 May 1986. His father Mato is a bosnian croatian from Prud near Odžak. [ 138 ] Mato was besides a football musician, who moved to Slavonski Brod upon transferring from Kozara Bosanska Gradiška to BSK. [ 139 ] Mandžukić has been in a kinship with Ivana Mikulić from Strizivojna since 2007. [ 140 ]

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

International [edit ]

National team Year Apps Goals
Croatia[142] 2007 1 0
2008 3 1
2009 6 0
2010 8 1
2011 8 3
2012 11 4
2013 10 4
2014 10 4
2015 6 3
2016 11 9
2017 7 1
2018 8 3
Total 89 33
Scores and results list Croatia’s goal tally first.[143]

Honours [edit ]

Dinamo Zagreb [ 141 ]
Bayern Munich [ 141 ]
Atlético Madrid [ 141 ]
Juventus [ 141 ]
Al-Duhail
Croatia
Individual
Orders

Notes [edit ]

References [edit ]