Mario Mandžukić announces his retirement

Dear little Mario,

While you put on these boots for the first time, you can't even imagine what you will get to experience in football. You'll score goals at the biggest stages and you'll win the biggest trophies with the biggest clubs. Proudly representing your nation, you will help write the history of Croatian sports. 

You'll succeed because you'll have good people around you – teammates, coaches, fans, and family, agent and friends who will always be there for you. You'll be forever grateful to all of them!

Above all, you'll succeed because you'll always give your best. At the end of your career, that's what you'll be most proud of. You'll sacrifice a lot, but you'll know it was worth it because of all the amazing moments.

You'll recognize the moment to retire, to put these boots in a trophy cabinet and you'll have no regrets. Football will always be a part of your life, but you'll look forward to a new chapter. 

Enjoy the ride!

Your big Mario

P.S. If you happen to play vs England in the World Cup, just be ready around 109th minute 😉

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