Nikola Kalinić and that Hajduk shirt that has always remained sewn on him

From Salona to Split is about 7 km and every morning, holding dad Jozo's hand, little Nikola Kalinić would leave home to reach the training ground of Hajduk Split, the club where he grew up as a man and as a footballer and from where he left to become a champion by wearing other important jerseys. Several years have passed since then. Many goals scored, many experiences, many personal and professional satisfactions, but that first jersey has always remained sewn on him. Today, Nikola Kalinić, 36, has decided to return to wearing that jersey to help his first club achieve a goal that has been missing for 19 years: winning the Scudetto. A choice of love for the colours of Hajduk. Love and passion for the club and the game of football that goes beyond financial interest. Kalinić returns to the pitch in the 'Bili' shirt after signing a five-month contract (until the end of the season) for a truly symbolic fee.

From Poljud grass, Europe and the come back

The career of a professional footballer is easily depicted on a map that always has a starting point and an end point. For Nikola Kalinić these two points coincide perfectly and lead to the grass of Poljud, Hajduk's stadium, where Croatian fans applauded a young footballer who from that pitch took off to Europe. After Split, the 'condor' spread his wings to England where he wore the Blackburn Rovers jersey, then to Ukraine with Dnipro and then to Italy, surely the most important and longest experience. With Fiorentina the two most intense seasons, then Milan, Roma, Verona and in between also the Spanish La Liga with Atletico Madrid. After Verona, the decision was made to return home and probably end his career in Split. After last season, the decision to stop. But his heart and passion for the colours of his first team were decisive in his decision to return to tread the Poljud grass once again to help realise his Scudetto dream.

 

The values of sport above everything else

The choice of Kalinić proves that the passion of that child, who every day, together with his father from Salona, reached Split to pursue his dream and wear a jersey that means everything to you, does not change and is not extinguished. There are no engagements that hold when the love for this sport is stronger than anything. Along with love, dedication for the colours of a team that allowed you to realise your childhood dream. Kalinić gives that love, that passion back to Hajduk today and puts himself at the service of his club without asking for anything in return.

A wonderful example

There are many ways to 'become your own hero', and Kalinić's gesture is also a beautiful example for all those youngsters who every day arrive at Hajduk Split's training ground, put on their shoes, jersey and start playing. Before the fame, the covers and the big signings, there is the passion for the game of football, the sense of belonging to a group, the team spirit, the love for a jersey that, in the end, will always remain sewn on you. Kalinić, wearing that Hajduk number 9 jersey, will come out of the locker room, walk to the centre of the pitch and, looking at the Poljud stands, will realise that he has already scored his first goal, straight, precise, into the hearts of his fans.