Mario Mandzukic Hangs Up

Mario Mandzukic (Instagram @mariomandzukic)

JAKARTA - Former Bayern Munich, Juventus and Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic has hung up his boots at the age of 35 and ended his trophy-laden career.

AC Milan became the last club to be defended by the 2018 World Cup runners-up with the Croatian national team in the second half of the 2020/21 season.

Mandzukic announced his retirement decision by posting a photo of a pair of football boots on his personal Instagram account, @mariomadzukic, along with an imaginary letter to his childhood.

"Little Mario," he wrote. "When you wear these [shoes] for the first time, you can't even imagine what you will achieve in football. You will score goals on the biggest stage and win the biggest trophies at the biggest clubs."

“In the jersey of your greatest pride, the Croatian national team, you will engrave some of the most important moments of Croatian sport. You will succeed because you will have many people ready to help you."

"Teammates who are in arms, learn from the coach, the fans who will support you and your family, the manager and friends who will always be with you," he continued. "You will be forever grateful to all of them!"

After making his senior debut in his home country with Marsonia during the 2004-05 season, Mandzukic's name became known when he was with Dinamo Zagreb.

During his three years there, Madzukic helped Zagreb to three Croatian league titles.

He then moved to Wolfsburg, which was the stepping stone to joining Bayern Munich in 2012.

His name was further reckoned with when the German club won a remarkable treble in the 2012-13 season. Mandzukic also scored in his club's win in the Champions League final over Borussia Dortmund.

Mandzukic then played for Atletico Madrid for a season from 2014 to 2015 before joining Serie A giants Juventus.

Meanwhile, with Juve, Mandzukic was able to present four Scudetto Serie A titles, three Coppa Italias, and one Supercoppa Italiana.

He had a brief career with Qatari side Al-Duhail after coach Maurizio Sarri rarely played him at Juve. He then ended his career at Milan this year.

At international level, Mandzukic made 89 appearances for Croatia and scored 33 goals, the most famous of which was scoring the winner to send his country through to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia against England.

Mandzukic also scored in the 2018 World Cup final, unfortunately Croatia lost to France 4-2.