The striker who scored a goal for his newborn child
In short: In 2002, Ivica Olić achieved one of the most unique celebrations in football history. After scoring a vital goal against Italy at the FIFA World Cup, he revealed a photo of his newborn baby under his jersey—a moment so emotional it left him unable to put his shirt back on.
Ivica Olić's career is defined by high-pressure 'clutch' moments and remarkable longevity. A versatile striker who could also operate as a winger, he became an emblematic figure for the Croatian national team, earning 104 caps and scoring 20 goals. His international journey included three FIFA World Cups (2002, 2006, 2014) and two UEFA European Championships. Notably, in the 2014 World Cup, he became Croatia's oldest goal-scorer by netting a strike against Cameroon at age 35.
His club career saw him navigate the highest tiers of European football. After securing the 2004–05 UEFA Cup for CSKA Moscow, he featured twice in Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League finals (2010, 2012). While at Hamburger SV, he made history as the first player to score three successive goals in a single half during a Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart. His impact was often measured by his work rate; fans famously bid him farewell with a "Danke fans" T-shirt after he helped rescue Hamburg from the relegation zone.
Transitioning to management, Olić served as an assistant coach under Zlatko Dalić, helping Croatia reach the 2018 World Cup final. He later took the helm at CSKA Moscow in March 2021. However, his tenure there was brief and met with skepticism due to his lack of head coaching experience; he was sacked on June 15 after a string of defeats left the club out of European competition for the first time in 20 years. Despite this, he remains a respected figure who prefers a quiet private life over the spotlight.
Olić's legacy is one of resilience. After undergoing knee surgery in November 2010 that led him to consider retirement, he returned to compete at the highest level for several more years, eventually transitioning into leadership roles within the sport.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ivica Olić
- Also: Wikidata — Ivica Olić · CC0
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