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Mandzukic calls time on Croatia career

Published

August 15, 2018

Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic, pictured July 2018, says that he “gave [his] best” for Croatia and “contributed to the greatest success in Croatian football” in his retirement letter © AFP/File / Mladen ANTONOV

PARIS, France, Aug 15 – Croatian World Cup hero and star striker Mario Mandzukic has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 32, the country’s national soccer federation said Tuesday.

“I think the time has come for me now. I gave my best for Croatia and I have contributed to the greatest success in Croatian football,” Mandzukic said in a letter circulated by the federation.

The Juventus player said that losing 4-2 to France in the World Cup final to take the runner-up spot had given him “new energy but also made this incredible decision easier”.

Mandzukic scored 33 goals for Croatia in 89 games and ranked second only to the country’s Davor Suker.

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