The first war of Darijo Srna came to his house. "They told us to give them the keys to our car. We went to the police, but she did nothing. I had a brother with problems who needed to be accompanied with a special school, we could not do without a car. My mother cleaned, shoveled the snow, we did everything we could to save money and buy a new car. ". The second war was a creeping malaise. "We left and did not see anything, bombs did not fall around us. But residents of Donbass suffered, and the last four years have become difficult for them.. We often flew by plane, always played outside the house, and there is no football without fans ". The third war was a sharp pain. "I proved to WADA that I was innocent and received the minimum penalty, 17 months. If I’m really guilty, the disqualification would certainly have lasted a lot longer. ”. Simple because of doping, it seemed that he would end his career Srna, who was already 36 years old. Then Cagliari took the stage.. "President Giulini wanted to get me the way I am. Friends told me that people spend money to live in Sardinia, you, on the contrary, are paid to keep you there ".

You have a lot of friends. Starting with your ex-comrades of the Croatian national team, who invited you to the finals, and at the gala dinner you were at the head of the table. Is it true that Maran (head coach of Cagliari - approx. Football. ua) let you go, moreover, convinced you to go there?.

Yes, Maran is an amazing person.. He understood that it was important to me.. Before that, they called me every day from the Croatian national team, but I replied that I would come only if you reached the final. They came out and I arrived. Great result, although not without luck. I think that in previous tournaments we played better, but the final in Russia was a fantastic moment for all of Croatia..

In the summer your worst period ended..

I lost everything in an instant. First, the disqualification for doping, and the whole world seemed to collapse in front of me. Then Akhmetov, the President of the Miner, who told me that the contract with me would not be renewed. It was another blow to my face.. I understand, he is doing his job, Miner is my love, he must grow young people. But I had bought a beautiful house in Donetsk, the president opened an international school where my children went. Everything disappeared in a gust of wind. I was broken apart. Disqualification was the worst moment of my career, but I am strong. Everything that does not kill us makes us stronger.

You must be so strong, because you survived two wars..

My father survived as many as three. When I was little, in Croatia, I was afraid every day. Dad worked as a baker and delivered bread to people who could not go to the store. When we were saying goodbye, we didn’t know whether he would return or not.. Grateful to him for who I am. I am also grateful to Mircea Lucescu and his assistant, Nicolini, who transformed me into an extreme defender. Grateful to Guardiola, who had similar problems with mine and encouraged me. He told me: "Do it for your name, for your children. There is no doping in football, there are only mistakes. I was supported by many: Boban, Stanic, Modric, other players and ex-players. Of course, Mario Mandzhukic is a champion and a great friend..

Do you often talk to him?.

Yes. He told me that on Saturday (Cagliari will play against Juventus - note Football. ua) wants to play on the left flank, and I replied: "You will be worse, I will not let you touch the ball". There is a strong friendship between us, as well as with Luka Modric. He calls, my children answer on the phone, and they talk among themselves. I played for Croatia for 15 years, I saw a lot of people on this way. I saw them coming still very young. Then I myself left after Euro 2016. It was not a good moment for me, I lost my father. The national team always gave me a feeling of satisfaction, but leaving it was the right decision..

Mandzhukich truly acted? (Speech on Mario’s departure from the Croatian team - note Football. ua) He peaked. What could be better than the World Cup final? He goes to the top of his career and devotes himself to the strongest club.. I am sure that Juventus is able to win the Champions League and, of course, the championship. It's not just Ronaldo. There are a lot of key players. For example, Chiellini - number one in Italy.

Is it hard to play against friends?.

We are professionals. I do it all my life.

Why did you choose Cagliari after so many years of playing in the Champions League?.

I already said this. Cagliari is the only club that really wanted me..

But what about Inter, Barcelona, ??Chelsea?.

I went where my heart and head told me. Before you decide, I collected information. Giovanni and Giacomo Brancini - not my agents, but my friends - told me about the atmosphere in the team. Then Pavoleti called me, who I really like, he is a great striker.. Of course, I do not allow myself to interfere in the affairs of Mancini, but did he really not deserve a chance in the Italian national team? Do you miss the scorer? So here he is. In addition, Barella in a couple of years will become the leader of the "Squadra of Azzurra".

How do you see your future?.

A little more calm. You know, I tried to find a positive side even in my disqualification.. I have never had a real vacation, I could not rest. My life, rather, brought stress. But then I look closely and start thinking: in Croatia, they confiscated a car from me, and now I have two plus a great house. So i won my war. I am a fighter, like my wife. She is even more ambitious than me.. She wanted my daughter to study in a London school, so now they ply between Sardinia and England.

What would you call yourself in your 36 years?.

The same as at a very young age.. The same as my father. To the one who fights and never gives up. My father taught me this, and without that I would not become who I am.. When scouts came to me, the father answered: my son is not for sale for money. I moved to Hajduk, because Stiemats, a family friend, convinced him. At first it was hard, but in my life, as you already understood, there was nothing easy. Now I am on this sunny island with a wonderful audience.. Last years, when Shakhtar was in exile, we played in the desert. When I step on the field and see the stands filled, my heart expands. It seems to me as if I was back ten years ago..

Posted by Alessandra Bocci, La Gazzetta dello Sport Translated for Football. ua: Sergey Shevchenko and Artem Lukashov.