Dario Šarić and Thompson: Basketball Star at a Nation-Dividing Concert
Did Dario Šarić, one of Croatia’s top basketball players, really support a concert by Marko Perković Thompson, a singer infamous for glorifying Ustaše and war criminals? While his parents celebrated their family Slava, Šarić chose to attend a concert that drew nearly 20,000 people at Zagreb’s hippodrome — an event many see as a platform for promoting fascism and hate.
What happened?
Šarić didn’t post any photos or videos from the concert, but he was caught on camera running to move an ambulance during a live broadcast on RTL TV. Standing tall at 208 cm, he was hard to miss. A photo from the concert also appeared on the Instagram of Croatian MMA fighter Francisko Barija.
Why is this a problem?
Marko Perković Thompson is a controversial singer known for praising Ustaše, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing of Serbs during the Croatian War of Independence. Šarić’s parents, Predrag and Veselinka, have strong Serbian roots from the village of Đevrske near Knin, a place that was majority Serbian before the war. Yet, Dario chose to appear at a concert many view as a symbol of hatred and intolerance.
Family and heritage
Predrag Šarić was a basketball player in Šibenik and a teammate of Dražen Petrović, and his mother also played basketball. The family preserved the tradition of Slava, a deeply rooted Orthodox Christian custom. Still, Dario seems indifferent to his heritage or at least unwilling to publicly acknowledge it.
Public reaction
Many are shocked and disappointed. How can someone with Serbian roots support a singer who glorifies crimes against Serbs? Is this a personal choice or a political statement? Šarić has not offered any explanation, fueling more suspicion and controversy.
What does this say about society?
This event exposes deep divisions in the region and how historical wounds remain open. While some celebrate and nurture hatred, others try to live normal lives, but actions like this remind everyone of a painful past many want to forget.
Conclusion
Maybe Dario Šarić just went to a concert, but he sparked a storm of emotions and questions about identity, loyalty, and history. Will he speak up and explain his choice? Or stay silent and let the controversy follow him? Either way, this is no ordinary sports story — it’s a political and social earthquake.
Got a hot take or a joke about basketball players and singers? Drop it in the comments. Let’s keep the conversation rolling because topics like this don’t just disappear.
