Croatia finds World Cup victory in biggest fan: President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic

Despite defeat in the World Cup finals, the Croatian national team brought pride to their home country. Among those who showed immense joy in their valiant performance was their head of state, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

 Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Emmanuel Macron
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron wave to the spectators after France beat Croatia by 4-2.  AP Photo/Martin Meissner

It goes without saying that state leaders should support national athletes, but the first female President of Croatia took it a step further and went on full fan mode during the team’s World Cup journey.

After the team lost 4-2 in a wholehearted effort against France, their President embraced them one by one as rain poured over the Luzhniki stadium. 

https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/1018556262043168768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1018556262043168768&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indy100.com%2Farticle%2Fworld-cup-2018-croatian-president-kolinda-grabar-kitarovic-final-france-croatia-8449061

While Russian President Vladimir Putin was handed an umbrella, the Croatian leader took the time to congratulate the players and head coach Zlako Dalic under the rain.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, third left, gestures as Russian President Vladimir Putin stands underneath an umbrella next to French President Emmanuel Macron as Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic greets Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic after the final match between France and Croatia.  AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic hugs Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic at the end of the final match between France and Croatia.  AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic hugs Croatia’s Luka Modric.  AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Grabar-Kitarovic chose to don the checkered red-and-white jersey throughout the tournament and missed just one match for good reason—the NATO summit in Brussels.

Image: Facebook/@KolindaGrabarKitarovic

She also had a photo op with Putin after Croatia defeated Russia to enter the semifinals.

Image: Facebook/@KolindaGrabarKitarovic

Fans lauded her for flying economy, sharing a picture with passengers and Croatia fans during the trip.

Image: Facebook/@KolindaGrabarKitarovic

She even entered the men’s locker room to congratulate the players, hugging them individually and joining them for post-match celebrations.

Before Croatia’s first-ever World Cup final, Grabar-Kitarovic had an air of victory. “It doesn’t really matter if we win the gold or the silver. We’re on top of the world. And I’m so proud of my nation,” she told Russian news outlet RT.  /ra

 

RELATED STORIES:

Croatia gears up to give heroes’ welcome to World Cup team

Japan bows out of World Cup with clean locker room and thank you note

Croatia fears World Cup chance may never come again

Read more...