Chris Martinovic

Co-founder of Ozark United Football Club, fan of the beautiful game….Illinois, Razorbacks, SHU Pirates, Luka Modric & all stuff Croatian 🇭🇷

[Chris Martinovic @ChrisMartinovic]

@NJHoopsHaven @APPSportsDesk @AsburyParkPress 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💪💪💪⚽️⚽️⚽️

[Darko @culdarko]

@ChrisMartinovic 👋👋👋

[Madrid Xtra @MadridXtra]

🚨🇭🇷 Luka Modrić has the MOST World Cup appearances for a Croatian.

He could become the FIRST Croatian to reach 200 CAPS at the World Cup.

[CroatianSports @CroatianSoccer]

THE ATHLETIC — One of the world's most respected sports publications has turned its attention to Croatia! (Article in comments 👇)

As part of its World Cup series, The Language of Soccer, The Athletic is exploring all 48 nations competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup through a single phrase that captures the spirit of each country's football culture. For Croatia, that phrase is Uvijek Vjerni — Always Faithful.

The feature examines what makes Croatian supporters unique. From packed stadiums in Zagreb and Split, to Croatian "doms" across North America, Australia, and beyond, the story explores how a nation of fewer than four million people continues to produce one of the most passionate and recognizable supporter cultures in world football.

Croatian Sports is proud to have contributed to the project. The Athletic featured CroatianSports founder Ante Kvartuc, who helped explain the deeper meaning behind Uvijek Vjerni. While the phrase is often associated with loyalty to the Croatian National Team, Ante explains that its meaning goes much deeper.
Being Uvijek Vjerni is not just about being faithful to our team.
It's about being faithful to each other.

Faithful to our families. Faithful to our communities. Faithful to our heritage. Faithful to the generations that came before us and the generations that will follow.

It's why Croatians from every corner of the world gather when the national team plays. It's why complete strangers become family for 90 minutes. And it's why supporting Croatia is about much more than football.

The Athletic's feature also includes a video produced by CroatianSports that explores the meaning of Uvijek Vjerni and the unique bond that connects Croatians across the globe.
As Croatia prepares for another World Cup journey, we're honored to help tell our story to a global audience.

Because being Croatian isn't just where you're from. It's who you are.

Uvijek Vjerni. 🇭🇷💪🏻

[Croatian Football  @CroatiaFooty]

🇭🇷 🐐 Luka Modrić’s Croatia goals by age:

20 - Scored
21 - Scored
22 - Scored
23 - Scored
24 -
25 - Scored
26 -
27 -
28 -
29 - Scored
30 - Scored
31 -
32 - Scored
33 -
34 - Scored
35 - Scored
36 - Scored
37 - Scored
38 - Scored
39 - Scored
40 - Scored

From debut goal at 20… to scoring at FORTY!

[Chris Martinovic @ChrisMartinovic]

@RoccSTLreal 💪💪

[Adam Zielonka @Adam_Zielonka]

Great signing for Seton Hall: The Pirates land 6'9 PF Terry Copeland Jr., the JUCO National Player of the Year.

The best player on the best junior college team, Copeland helped Howard College win the national title by averaging 25p/11r in the tourney (19.8/7.9 for the season).

[Chris Martinovic @ChrisMartinovic]

@ChiefIlliniVic For 2 years before he’s 38% from 3…he’ll be fine. He’s adjusted to adding more size /bulk. Happens to euros….Toni Kukoc had it happen when w/Bulls in late 90’s after he bulked up. He’ll be a star & a NBA pick as not many humans in the world can do what he does at 7’3”/7’2!!!

[D @u_7xw]

One last dance luka 😢❤️

[Chris Martinovic @ChrisMartinovic]

@Sachk0 🏆🐐🇭🇷🔥

[Football Tweet ⚽ @Footballtweet]

🇭🇷 Ivan Perišić on growing up in Croatia:

🗣️ Perišić: "When I was young, I was playing in Croatia and my father's chicken farm was on the brink of a major bankruptcy. To save my family, I transferred alone to France's Sochaux team at the age of 17.

With the first bonus I earned, I paid off all my father's debts and saved the farm.

I feel a deep pride in representing Croatia and hopefully inspiring younger generations who dream of following the same path."

[Chris Martinovic @ChrisMartinovic]

@ArmchairIllini @WritingIlliniFS @ChiefOskee @Nathan1Nash @Recruit2Illini 🇭🇷🇭🇷💪💪

[Armchair Illinois @ArmchairIllini]

Year two for Zvonimir Ivisic at Illinois. A healthy offseason for Tomislav Ivisic. Why the Ivisic Twins are headed toward a breakout season.👇👇

READ MORE: https://t.co/leqFNiNXFY

[OneFootball @OneFootball]

Luka Modrić is reportedly planning to retire after the 2026 World Cup… one of football’s greatest midfield careers could soon be coming to an end, according to @NicoSchira 🥹🇭🇷

From Ballon d’Or winner to six Champions League trophies, truly one of the best in the modern game ✨🐐

[zlat🇭🇷🇧🇦🇩🇪🇪🇬 @zlatlfc]

Croatia- The underdogs

[John Fanta @John_Fanta]

Illinois is a tier A national championship contender entering the 2026-27 season. Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovic, the Ivisic Bros, Jake Davis, an ELITE shotmaker in Stefan Vaaks, Quentin Coleman.

Brad Underwood has a powerhouse of a team. Preseason Top 5.

[Illini Gooner @IlliniGoonhq]

Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic will return to the Illini next season, his agent Drake U’u told @On3.

The 6-7 junior averaged 13.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season. Scored 21 points in the Round of 32 against VCU and 17 in the Elite Eight against Iowa.

[90s Football @90sfootball]

When Davor Šuker lobbed Peter Schmeichel...

[Croatian Football  @CroatiaFooty]

Suba 😍

[TheCroatian @TheCroatian_]

Feels like yesterday, but it’s been nearly eight years since we made history...