Nikola Kalinić is a Croatian professional footballer. He has played for the Croatian national team since 2008 and has taken over the team in at least three UEFA European Championships. Moreover, Nikola was part of the 23-man squad that traveled to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Up, but unfortunately he was sent home after the first day. Thus, he lost a golden chance to make history with his team playing in the final for the first time.
Kalinić’s unfortunate expulsion drew criticism from football fans around the world. According to the story, coach Zlatko Dalićto asked him to come on as a substitute in the 85th minute in his first group stage match against Nigeria Super Eagles. After a warm-up, Kalinić declined his coach’s request, citing a back injury.
Reports later emerged through Croatian media that Kalinić had refused to come on as a substitute because he was unhappy not to be in the starting XI. It was further revealed that his injury excuse was one of several recent protests leading up to the World Cup. Obviously, the coach had had enough and made the bold decision to send the 6-footer home.
Croatia’s historic success at the World Cup threw more attention on the dismissal of Nikola Kalinić, as a result, he was dubbed the biggest loser of Russia 2018. On the bright side, however, Kalinić returned home in a beautiful family… Here’s what we dug up on his family.
Nikola Kalinic: Parents
Nikola Kalinić was born on January 5, 1988 as the son of Neda Kalinić (mother) and Jozo Kalinić (father). His birthplace was Solin, then SFR Yugoslavia. Kalinić’s parents were his biggest support. Ever since he showed an interest in football as a child, his father has dedicated his time and energy to ensuring his son becomes the best he can be.
In an interview with Sky Sports, as seen on an Italian online sports site, Kalinić’s father, Jozo Kalinić, revealed that when Nikola was a child, he took him to train every day. Sometimes he said he woke up in the morning as early as 5 am. A modest family, the Kalinićs did not have a car, so Jozo would take two bus trips from their small house to the stadium. He would wait for his son near the stadium and take him home after practice was over.
During the first years of his playing career, it was when he played for Hajduk Split, Nikola lived with his parents. He first left home in 2009 when he traveled to the UK to play for Blackburn Rovers.
Nikola didn’t grow up alone though, he has a brother, Zdravko, who is 5 years older than him, as evidenced by Firenze Viola, a credible Croatian website. Zdravko had also tried football but was not as good as Nikola.
Residents of Solin, a small town in Dalmatia, where Nikola’s family comes from, are traditionally fans of Italian club AC Milan. So, it was a dream come true when Nikola joined the club in 2017 and later signed in 2018. The biggest Milan fan in the Kalinić family is Nikola’s mother, Neda. When Nikola was a child, she bought him an AC Milan backpack. Nikola’s parents hope he performs as well as Andriy Shevchenko, the club star who, like Nikola, wore the number 7 shirt.
His wife
Nikola Kalinic is married to a certain woman named Vanja Kalinić. She was born in Trpanj, Pelješac Croatia on September 19, 1988. Nikola and Vanja were childhood friends and have been married for a decade and counting.
Their wedding is said to have taken place in 2007, at a time when they were barely 20 years old. They have stuck with each other over the years. Vanja, a graduate in maritime management, has lived with Nikola in all the cities he has played, including the UK, Ukraine and Italy.
They have a son named Mateo who was born on January 13, 2014. Nikola frequently posts sweet snaps of his family on his Instagram page.
Body Stats – Height, Weight
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, equivalent to 1.88m as well as a body weight of around 83 kg (or around 183 pounds), Nikola Kalinić has the right body stats to suit his position as a player. ‘attacker.