Zagreb, (IKA) – Archbishop Marin Barišić of Split-Makarska commented on Croatian Catholic Radio about the Croatian national soccer team’s silver medal at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the joy and pride felt throughout Croatia. “Croatia has become singular in its number, gender and declension. That is what these wonderful young men did for us. They deserve a great welcome from us so that we can thank them for everything they have shown us and borne witness to. They have borne witness to something wonderful, which is unity, harmony, responsibility, effort, sweat and hard work. This is the path to success. This was not only seen by us but by the whole world. We have become the world’s favorites. We have brought the world closer to us, and brought ourselves closer to the world. We have especially understood the path of success, sacrifice and humility. That is what we discovered in sports. This is a quality of Christianity, of men and women religious. The news is that this humility was discovered in sports, and was discovered by our players and trainer, for which we thank them. I see so many messages in our national team,” said the archbishop.
He noted that the success of our soccer players is “radioactive,” encompassing the world but first of all our homeland. “In its own way, this success is full of messages for us all, especially for the homeland, for us to try to see if we can take their path to success and apply their method on the field at home. I would like to see our soccer players’ method for success applied in all areas of society, in the economic, political, cultural and health care areas, as well as in pastoral ministry. We can do even more together, humbly, harmoniously, with effort and hard work,” said Archbishop Barišić.
After losing the final match with the French, the archbishop said that there was no reason for sadness. “There is joy and pride here. More pride than joy. Our joy is slightly diminished but I believe that our silver team was better, that they are golden. We congratulate the French but with one reservation. I believe that our joy is more merited and purer. The French can rejoice that they won first place but they did not demonstrate that they were better than we were on the field. In this case, the better team, our team, lost,” concluded Archbishop Barišić.