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发帖数: 16 | 1 https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/ivan-rakitic-croatia-the-best-
shirt-in-the-world
Sitting in my room, I still didn’t know what I was going to do. I kept
going back and forth and thinking about all the people who had gotten me to
where I was.
And then I just thought about what was in my heart.
And I picked up the phone and started to dial.
The first call I made was to the Swiss coach. I had been part of the Swiss
team my whole career, and it was important to me to call him first, to
explain to him why I was going to play for Croatia. I told him that it was
not a decision against Switzerland. It was just a decision for Croatia. And
after that, I called Slaven.
“I’ll go with you. I’m going to be a part of this.”
And Slaven told me, “All the people of Croatia will be so proud to have you
here. Don’t think about anything else, just enjoy football.”
I wasn’t on either call for long, but I could hear my father outside my
door the entire time, his footsteps in the hallway.
When I finally opened the door he just stopped and looked at me. I hadn’t
told him what I had decided ahead of time, but he told me that, no matter
what I chose, he would support me. It was a huge moment for the two of us….
So … I decided to play a little joke on him.
“I will keep playing for Switzerland,” I told him.
“Oh,” my father said. “O.K. Good.”
“No, no,” I said laughing. “I’m going to play for Croatia.”
Tears started to fill up his eyes, and he began to cry.
I think about my dad and that moment a lot when I step onto the field for
Croatia. I know my father would like to be where I am, standing in my boots.
I know so many Croatians would like to, as well. To be able to play for
your country and defend your colors … there are no words to describe it. |
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