Imagine this: your son, a 17-year-old football talent, who spent nearly eight years at Dinamo, played for Maksimir, and scored 24 goals in 37 matches, yet the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) ignores him! Yes, you read that right. While Qatar offers a professional contract, schooling, housing, and a salary that even established players in Croatia can’t get, HNS seems oblivious to him. Tomislav Nežić, his father and coach, reveals that his son Lovro Nežić has been on the radar of Qatari clubs for four years, but no one in Croatia is watching.
Lovro is a smart player with football intelligence many lack. He played in Maksimir’s youth and senior teams at just 16 and is now on the brink of a professional career in Qatar. His family holds residency in Qatar, easing the process of obtaining playing permits and potentially representing the Qatari national team.
But what is HNS doing? Nothing. No contact, no calls, no interest. Even when a Croatian club showed interest, the response was that he must first move to a first-league club. Lovro has already proven he can play at a higher level, but the system ignores him.
This story isn’t just about one talent. It’s about a system that fails to recognize and support young players, about bureaucracy suffocating potential, and a family ready to go where their talent is valued. Qatar, a country known for wealth and safety, offers everything Croatia can’t – opportunity, money, and a future.
If you thought this was just another young athlete’s story, think again. This is a wake-up call for Croatian football. Will we let our talents leave for places that appreciate them while we stay blind? Or will we finally start seeing and valuing what we have?
What do you think? Is Lovro Nežić a victim of the system or just a brave young man forging his own path? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let’s shake things up together!
