Interview with Perisic: At Inter, he has a top status and unfulfilled desire to be a Champions League champion

Recently, Perisic, who does not appear in front of the media, accepted an exclusive interview with the Croatian media "Morning News". Among them, Perisic talked about his journey in croatia in this World Cup, his time at Inter Milan, and his vision for the future.

Note: Previously, the British, German and Italian media excerpted the interview from their own perspectives, and the Croatian interview is now fully translated as follows.

Ivan, when is your holiday?

The appointment is until August 10.

How do you feel after so many celebrations and so many blessings? Have you ever felt a little tired because there seems to be no end to such emotions?

Yes, the first two or three days were extra crazy. Zagreb, Split, Imotsky, Omiš ... There are a lot of fans everywhere you go. At the same time, I have two weddings to attend (note: one is Joel Luca's wedding), and then there are many events that I have to attend.

So my real vacation actually just started. Now, I can finally enjoy time with my children and wife. I'm going to spend a little more time with my family these days, and I've been looking forward to it for a long time, and that's what I really need. I was really shocked about all the crazy celebrations, and endless blessings. We are all human beings and we will all be impressed.

How do you see the success of the World Cup, although it is the runner-up, but everyone celebrates it as if it were a champion?

Today, we don't necessarily have a good understanding of what we're doing. It's a very remarkable achievement, and we may not learn about our achievements until some time later. This result is fantastic and almost unreal. Maybe after the end of our careers, when we sit in front of the TV and watch the images of the World Cup in Russia, we will realize what we have done in this cup.

For example, in 1998, Croatia finished third. It was a miracle for us at the time. We were all children then, and we will never forget such memories. Just like we dreamed of, we repeat this success again. We're part of that feat right now, and we're in it and can't really see what we've done.

But we can't stop there. Croatia must have more motivation.

Have you foreseen, or secretly dreamed of, such an achievement?

We have a strong team and that's nothing new. At the 2008 European Championships, we played very well, but we lacked luck and we should have been able to win Turkey. Then, in Poland in 2012, in the match against Spain, we had a penalty that was missed. Otherwise, we could qualify from the group with Italy and Spain, which were also champions and runners-up at that European Championship, and (if we do) who knows where we can go?

We've had bad luck all these years, and we've all been back at this cup. In the penalty shootout, we had a little bit of luck and a little bit of it in the game, but honestly and objectively speaking, our dedication, our performance and our immense willpower deserve such success.

What do you think is the key to this success, the strength of the team, the cohesion...?

We fought for each other from day one and everyone saw that on the pitch. After one game after another, the morale of the team got higher and higher, and we got closer together. In addition, all the reports from Croatia, about the celebration and support of the people, who witnessed our goals, our success, gave us extra motivation. All of us wanted to play better, at least I felt like I was going to fly.

According to media reports, some players will end their national team careers and no longer play for Croatia. How are you doing after this success?

I don't know about anyone else, but as long as I can, as long as the national team is called up, I will play for the national team. When I see younger, better players coming to the national team and I'm getting older, I'm going to be ready to help them, as long as I need to play, 15, 20 or 30 minutes. As long as I can, I serve the national team.

What do you have to say about the "Kalinic Incident"?

Kalinic is my best friend, and from my personal point of view, it happened very badly. On the night that decision was made, I was only asleep for an hour or two, and I couldn't sleep because I was nervous because I knew what the player was, what this person was. It was difficult for me. I know his experience with the national team quite well and I know what the coaches have done to him. If all of this happened to me, I might collapse before he did. Still, I think he chose the wrong timing.

Summer is a busy time for the transfer market. In recent years, we've gotten used to Perisic always associating with big clubs. Last season was Manchester United, how is it going this year, do you want to transfer or stay at Inter?

Last year, I just signed a new five-year contract with Inter Milan. I really have the top status I've always wanted. Indeed, Inter milan has not been able to achieve what it should have achieved since 2010. There may be some problems, and some bad decisions. But I have a feeling that Inter will be back to the top.

I do understand that some teams have interests in me, but I have to talk to my club before I can decide. If I do transfer, I will only go for the top clubs in the big leagues. Only God will know what will happen in the future. I'm happy at Inter and we all know that anything is possible in the world of football.

In the world of football, do you have any wishes to fulfill?

The Champions League is number one. I want to win something in the Champions League because I haven't played in the Champions League for six years.

I've played at the European Championships and the World Cup and now I've achieved a good result. So now, the Champions League is the biggest challenge at club level.

You've played in the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A, do you want to play in other leagues?

To be honest, I want to try playing in all the leagues. But the question is, how much time do I still have to do these things. Now that I'm 29, I want to keep my career going as long as possible, I train every day and want to stay as energetic as possible. I want to go to England and Spain, but I repeat, the question is whether I still have that time.

Imagine how you would spend the rest of your career?

I want to play at least one season for Khaiduk and I'm going to do something about it. Unfortunately, I had to play abroad and I never played a season in a white jersey (note: Perisic joined the youth of Ligue 1 side Sochaux at the age of 18). Like every Dalmatian, I dreamed of one day playing for Hajduk.

It is well known that you are one of the favorite players of former Croatia coach Kovac. After he went to Bayern to coach, there was also speculation that Bayern could also be your next stop. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to work with Kovac again?

Kovac had a big impact on me. When he was coaching Croatia, I did well for the team. Once again, I congratulate him on his achievements in Germany and on signing with giants like Bayern. Bayern are a team at the same level as Real Madrid, Barca and Manchester United.

As for me, if they want to get me, they know where to find me.

What about Rebic, what did he say, what were his chances of going to Bayern?

Rebić was great at Frankfurt, winning his first trophy and then finishing runners-up at the World Cup. I think it's time for him to take his career to the next level. I want to point out that he has grown both in terms of playing football and being a man. I can only say the most positive things about him.

"Money is not everything" (Note: the song of the famous Croatian singer Grdović) is the song you chose (at the celebration), is it a whim, or is there a reason?

Haha, I think it's a coincidence. We all know grdović and everyone likes him. I think someone put the song on the bus and we all took it. Everyone's mood was high, so we continued... In the end, all the celebrations and successes came with the song.

It is said that you use lyrics to express to the opponents that playing for the national team is not for money?

From the first day I played, I dreamed of wearing the Croatian shirt. No club can compare with the Croatian national team. That's love! Playing for the club is a job. If someone isn't ready to play, it's not on the pitch.

We all know how our country got to independence, how many people gave their lives for it, we have our own way, we will represent Croatia in the best way possible. Believe me, on the eve of the game, we were all unable to sleep because of the adrenaline and nervousness, and such emotions cannot be described in words.

(Editor: Love to feed cats)