Nikola Kalinic confirms he turned down Croatia World Cup finalist medal

Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic has confirmed that he turned down a World Cup finalist medal after playing no part in his country’s fantastic campaign in Russia. 

The Croatians shocked the world as they progressed to the World Cup final – beating England en route in the semi-finals – where they eventually lost out to fellow Europeans France 4-2.

Kalinic however, was not involved in any of the action after he was sent home from the tournament by Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic after their first match of the tournament against Nigeria.

Croatia defeated the African side 2-0 but, late in the game, Kalinic refused to come on as a substitute due to ‘fitness issues’, forcing Dalić to send the Milan forward back home and out of the World Cup.

Speaking to reporters, Kalinic acknowledged that he played no part of Croatia’s historic World Cup run and therefore refused the chance of owning a World Cup finalists medal.

“Thanks for the medals, but I did not play in Russia,” Kalinic told Sportske Novosti.

Croatia topped their group before beating Denmark on penalties in the Round of 16, before beating Russia also on penalties.

The south European nation then ended England’s hopes in the semi-finals before succumbing to a superior France side in the final.


Kalinic has returned to his domestic club Milan in preparation for the upcoming season.