Imagine this: one of Croatia’s top football stars today, Ante Rebić, was rejected by Hajduk as a kid! Yes, you read that right. The club famous for nurturing talent turned him away at just 15 or 16 years old because he was “too stubborn” and “not for Hajduk.” They gave him two chances of about ten minutes each on trial, and that was it. This guy, who later shined at the World Cup in Russia and played for Fiorentina, Milan, and other big clubs, never got the chance to prove himself at the Split club.
Why? Because as a kid, he had his own attitude and was stubborn. Hajduk’s coaches and scouts failed to see his potential. Instead of supporting him, they rejected him, and he had to return to Imotski to continue his career.
But that’s not the end of the story. Hajduk missed out not only on Rebić but also on other talents like Marko Livaja and Kristijan Jakić. While other clubs like RNK Split and NK Imotski benefited from their development, Hajduk lost them. Even when these players became stars later, Hajduk failed to keep or utilize them.
This story is a real football drama about how one of Croatia’s biggest clubs can miss the chance to develop and keep top talents. Is it bad scouting, poor management, or just failure to recognize potential?
While Rebić now plays in Italy and has a successful career, Hajduk still regrets the missed opportunities. Maybe it’s time to ask — how many more talents will they lose because of old habits and prejudices?
If you have similar stories or thoughts about how clubs treat young talents, feel free to share. Who knows, maybe together we can change the football scene for the better!
