Nikola Kalinic refuses World Cup runners-up medal following his dramatic axe from the Croatian camp
Despite not playing a single minute during his national side's campaign, he was offered a silver medal – but the striker declined to accept the collector's item after refusing to come on against Nigeria
CROATIA may have sensationally secured a silver medal at the World Cup in Russia – but one member of the squad turned down a runners-up prize.
Nikola Kalinic has admitted that he did not deserve his medal after his dramatic axing early on in the tournament.
Graciously, Kalinic’s team-mates and back-room staff awarded the 30-year-old with the medal despite him not even featuring during the tournament.
Which was reportedly over the striker’s reluctance to come on as a substitute against Nigeria, after which he was sent packing.
The AC Milan player is reported by to have said: “Thanks for the medal, but I did not play in Russia.”
Kalinic’s refusal to come on as a substitute was put down to a back injury, despite the fact that the striker had already spent time warming up.
Head coach Dalic eventually lost patience with the ex-Blackburn player, having experienced a similar disagreement with him in a training session and in a tournament warm-up game against Brazil.
Kalinic was reportedly furious with his coach for putting him on the bench for a fourth consecutive international.
It remains to be seen if a lack of game-time during the World Cup and a well-publicised exit could well impact Kalinic’s future with AC Milan.
The national side managed an impressive run to the final without Kalinic, the first final in their history.
They came out on top of Group D, before defeating both Denmark and Russia on penalties.
Croatia then ended Gareth Southgate’s dreams of a World Cup final by beating England 2-1 in extra time.
They then came up against a formidable French side and lost 4-2 in a thrilling final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
