Kranjcar: Dinamo Tried to Destroy Me
Kranjcar: I paid the price because as captain of Dinamo, I did not allow the players to be criticized when we lost the championship in Zadar
After nearly two years of media silence, Niko Kranjcar talked to the Croatian media. Last season, Krajncar talked only on the field, and shut up all of his critics with his game-play in Portsmouth. After winning the FA Cup, he has finally decided to “reveal his soul”.
In a conversation for Jutarnji List, Niko explained that he decided on keeping quiet because he was affected by the attacks on him and his father after the World Cup in Germany when the Kranjcar family was to blame for everything. He says that he was no raised to return blows, so he decided to be quiet, let everyone write whatever they want, and concentrate on football.
I was a media toy, they tried to sell me to every single club, then soon announced that the transfer failed, and all of it was unfounded. I needed a period of silence, now when I think about it in retrospect, in order to clear my head and to get over it – said Kranjcar.
He explained that he was “de facto” driven away from Dinamo, and that he did not leave Maksimir out of revolt, but because of the relations that the club leaders had towards him.
- When they left me in Zagreb, and everyone went to prepare, it was clear to me that I could disappear as a footballer, and that the aim was to destroy me. I paid the price because as captain of the team, I did not allow the players to be criticised after we lost the championship in Zadar, I did not let them call us pussies, and when we win, those upstairs are the most deserving said Kranjcar.
The welcoming ceremony in Split was like the sweetest dream
Niko said that Zdravko Mamic proposed to all of the players that their contracts be reduced, which Niko accepted, but Niko also sought that the penalty upon leaving the club also be reduced.
- Then he exploded, the real battle with me began then. I had to leave, and I could only go to Russia, where there was an open transfer, or Hajduk ; said Kranjcar. He added that he will always be thankful to Split, and he described the welcoming ceremony as the sweetest dream. He claims that he will remember the period in Split his whole life because there he had support, love and security.
Does not resent the insults
Even though he was insulted by the fans of Dinamo because of his departure for Hajduk in Split, insulted via banners, fans singing songs, or Vedran Corluka singing fat pig at the celebration for winning the championship, Vedran does not resent the insults.
Niko says he even greets Zdravko Mamic when he sees him today, because he is younger and that is the way he was raised.
- I know all of the things that he said, the bad things he said about the Kranjcar family, but that is his style, and I have my way of life and upbringing – said the midfielder of the Croatian national team. He stressed that in the end, it all turned out good because he is playing in the strongest league in the world, and he won the FA Cup with his club, and he is looking forward to the European Cup.
He considers that Croatias most important match will be the first match against Austria, and that Croatia can be European champions. However he stressed that the team will miss Eduardo who is a hell of a player in the penalty area
Talking about his colleague in the Croatian national team, Luka Modric, Niko predicts that Modric will be a success in the English league because he is an excellent player that passed through a hard path by himself.
An added advantage for Luka will be the fact that his coach in Tottenham will be the Spaniard Juande Ramos, concluded Kranjcar.
Lijepa li si !