Atletico Madrid’s latest reinforcement Nikola Kalinić has spoken for the first time about being dismissed from the national team during the World Cup.
Nikola Kalinić has been officially introduced at his new club Atletico Madrid. A few days ago, the Croatian attacker arrived from Milan on a 15 million euro contract of three years, reports Goal.hr on August 13, 2018.
“I will give everything of myself for the team. I've been watching Atletico for a long time and I'm excited to be fighting for a place in the team,” said Kalinić.
All of the necessary information Kalinić needed to know was not hard to find, as Croatia teammate Šime Vrsaljko played for the club since 2016. However, Šime has now gone in the opposite direction of Kalinić, leaving Madrid for Milan where he will wear the jersey of Inter.
"I've talked to him enough, and he told me how things worked there. I know I'll need some time to get used to it, but I really cannot wait to start playing and to fight for my position," the Croatian striker revealed.
Of course, journalists were also interested in Nikola’s ejection from the Croatia national team.
"I did not talk about it with coach Simeone. It was the decision of coach Zlatko Dalić who did not want to count on me and I accepted that decision. I did not want to accept the medal because I did not help the team achieve such a great result. But now everything is behind me, and new challenges await me,” said 30-year-old from Solin.
Kalinić will be ready for the battle against Real Madrid in the European Super Cup final on Wednesday.
