Football. ua tells the story of a footballer's life, the impact of which became historical for the national team of Croatia.

On the eve of the whole Croatian people, a truly historic event happened. Croatia squad in the semifinals of the World Cup-2018 achieved a strong-willed victory over the British and for the first time in its history reached the World Cup final. This generation managed, it would seem, impossible to surpass the result of the legendary Croatian team led by Shuker, Boban, Bilic and others, who in 1998 won the World Championship bronze. Then the "checkered" were stopped by the French and now, exactly 20 years later, the fate gives the Croats the opportunity to return the debt. And it became possible thanks to the goal of the main scorer of the national team of Croatia - Mario Mandzhukich. A player whose football life was very, very difficult.

Childhood is a sick subject for Mario. His family lived in a small Yugoslav town of Slavonski Brod, which was 200 km from Zagreb. And just four years old kid named Mario learned what war is.

"Since that moment my life has changed. My mother and sister Ivanna spent the whole year in the bomb shelter, falling asleep on the cold and dirty floor. Every day we saw a pile of disfigured corpses near our entrance. In search of food, people were forced to take risks and leave their homes. Returned back a few, "- with bitterness in words recalled Mandzhukich after many years.

In the early 90's after another shelling, in which only Mario was not miraculously hurt, the family decided to flee to Germany. It was in this country that Manjukic took his first steps in football. His father was a professional football player and in Germany he played for a team called Diettingen. It was on the basis of this club that he started playing football and Mario. The boy did not miss his father's game and trained a lot himself. Unfortunately, after four years the situation changed. The German authorities did not give the Mandzhukichi family a residence permit, she was expelled from the country and forced to return to Croatia. At that time, the war ceased, but the country was destroyed. Mario continued to engage in football and at the age of 18 made his professional debut as a member of Marsonia.

Manjukic scored 14 goals per season, after which he was spotted by Zagreb. And there the problems did not leave the young Mario. Then Zagreb coached the disgraced coach Miroslav Blazevic, who at first did not take the player seriously and gave him offensive nicknames like "dull striker" or "wooden". Yes, it was the same Blazevic who led Croatia to the bronze medals of the 1998 World Cup and brought up Davor Shuker. Mario was difficult psychologically, but, according to him, the coach's statements made him only stronger. In Zagreb, Mandzhukic spent two difficult seasons and then he was noticed by the neighboring Dynamo. Then the team needed a striker forward with the ability to play well on the "second floor" and the choice of scouts fell just on the young Mario. For the player Dynamo paid almost 2 million euros and it was in Dynamo Manjukich that he opened for real.

Mario scored in almost every match and he was immediately attracted to the national team. Even then it was clear - Dynamo can not hold Mario for a long time and soon he will move to another club. It is interesting that in 2010 the Croat was a step away from the transition to the Donetsk Shakhtar, but at almost the last moment Mario did not dare to so global changes and preferred to return to Germany. After two shock seasons in Wolfsburg and a successful performance at Euro 2012, Manjukic was in the most successful club in Germany - Munich's Bavaria. Mario was already quite successful by that day, but during his career in Bavaria his life started a real madness. Treble with Bayern Munich, a goal in the final of the Champions League, the title of the best player of the year in Croatia.

And problems in Bavaria began with Mandzhukich with the arrival of Josep Guardiola. The Spaniard has never concealed that he thinks Mario is limited to forwards and never really trusted him. Roughly speaking, Mario became the main victim of Guardiola. "I categorically disagree with the scheme of Guardiola and his methods. The only salvation for me will be parting with this man, "- said Manjukic and moved to Madrid Atletico.

And there he had to compete with Antoine Grismann himself. Mario spent in Madrid a very good season, scoring 12 goals in 28 matches, but in the summer in Atletico turned Juventus, who was looking for a replacement for Carlos Tevezu.

Mario always sympathized with Italy and almost without hesitation agreed to this transfer. Do you think in this club he could count on an iron place at the base? No, history was repeated. Mario had to compete with Morata, Dibala and later with Higuain! And what do you think, Mandzhukich dropped his hands? Croatia was able to supplement the mobile Morat and Dibalu, and Allegri was able to perfectly use on the field of all three. What happened next? Soon, Mario scored the goal of the year in the Champions League final. Admire.

The most interesting thing is that Mandzhukich never lost his head from success. He fell a great glory even during the game for Bavaria, but Mario remained true to himself and did not step on the slippery path for a second. Horvath has always been humble and never lost his head from success. In his entourage, they say that Mario is still not giving up the most difficult childhood. He continues to remain self-contained and very selectively approaches the issue of choosing acquaintances and friends. Also, the footballer rarely gives interviews and hides his private life.

The 2018 World Cup was a new challenge for Mario. And here in his already 32 years Mandzhukich was necessary for a millionth time to prove that he can still benefit. Here is a football life - Mario always has something to prove to someone. But even after this happens, people eventually again begin to doubt this player.

So, the 2018 World Cup.

Manjukic does not score in the first two matches, which Croats confidently win, after which Dalic gives the attacker a rest. In 1/8 c Denmark Mario scores the most important goal, with Russia spends on the field all 120 minutes, and in the semifinals with England records on his account a winning goal in the 114th minute of the match and with distraught eyes goes to the Croatian platform to celebrate this event.

His question read the question: "And you again did not believe in me?".

After the match, Mandzhukich gave vent to emotions and let a tear. No wonder, it was his goal that brought the Croatian national team to the World Cup final! It was thanks to his goal that the Croatian team became more successful than the legendary Croatia of 1998. And this is not the end. Rest assured, Mario has not said everything yet.