Zagreb, (IKA) – Prior to the departure of the Croatian National Football Team for Brazil to play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the team members and their entourage were received on Monday, June 2, by the archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić. Led by the team captain, Niko Kovač, and the president of the Croatia Football League (HNS), Davor Šuker, the team members expressed their desire to receive God’s blessing before the Group A matches with Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico.

“I believe that our national team, with its conduct, effort and character, will be the best ambassador of our beautiful Croatian homeland. However, we will behave in an appropriate manner, modestly and with dignity in victory but also without rancor or hatred in defeat,” said the team manager, Niko Kovač, in a statement carried by the website of the Croatian Catholic newspaper Glas Koncila. ”

Cardinal Bozanić congratulated the team, noting that going to Brazil to participate in the World Cup already makes them winners. He also said that football players are genuine representatives of Croatia and will bring the homeland to the attention of many.

“You are builders of a sense of community in the Croatian nation and homeland. Our society is, unfortunately, somewhat divided on the inside. You are actually the best builders of unity by unifying so many people around a common ideal and goal for the success and good of Croatia. Therefore, I give you credit and rejoice with you,” said the archbishop of Zagreb.

“When you place your hands on your hearts and sing the Croatian anthem, then enter the battle wholeheartedly, to fight, to conquer, know that at that moment there are many hearts in Croatia beating only for you and the Croatian homeland. We’ll be with you. We’ll be close to you. I wish you abundant blessings from God. May you convey the best that Croatia has to offer the world,” added Cardinal Bozanić, and gave each player a rosary, a memento of the last visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia. The players reciprocated with a football jersey marked with cardinal’s surname and the number 10.

“Whoever wishes the Croatian society well should also wish Croatian football well. These rosaries remind us of the Pope’s visit and perhaps we could go together on a pilgrimage to visit Pope Francis in Rome—as champions,” concluded Cardinal Bozanić. “And play Argentina-Croatia,” said the president of the Croatian Football League, Davor Šuker, after inviting the bishop of Zagreb to join them in Brazil if they advance further in the competition. The Croatian team will play its first game in the World Cup against Brazil on June 12.