Before Mateo Kovacic earned the nickname “The Professor of Midfield,” there was a lesser-known chapter in his story that many football fans haven’t heard. It’s a tale of how Kovacic, once overlooked by the legendary Steven Gerrard, experienced a turning point that profoundly shaped his career and character.
This article uncovers that pivotal moment and explores Kovacic’s journey from his childhood to his rise in football. Discover how these early experiences influenced his development and helped him become the player he is today.
How A Steven Gerrard Snub Made Him: Mateo Kovacic’s Hidden Story
Our Mateo Kovacic Childhood Story and Untold Biography offer a comprehensive look at the events that shaped his journey from a young boy to a football star. This account delves into his life before fame, his family background, personal life, and other lesser-known off-pitch details.
Kovacic’s story is both unique and compelling. He was a fortunate child who narrowly escaped the turmoil of war-torn Bosnia and was blessed with exceptional football talent. Join us as we explore how these experiences and his remarkable journey led him to the heights of football stardom. Let’s dive in.
Mateo Kovacic Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, he bears the nickname “The Prof”. Kovacic was born on the 6th of May, 1994, to his mother, Ružica Kovačić, and father, Stipo Kovačić in Linz, Austria.
Mateo Kovačić was born to Bosnian Croatian parents who fled the harsh conditions of the Yugoslav Wars in 1991 and relocated to Linz, Austria.
Mateo Kovacic’s parents, Stipo and Ruzica (pictured below), made a smart decision to save their lives. This involves moving their kids away from the war zones of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mateo Kovacic was born as their first son and child to his parents, whom we have pictured here.
Meet Mateo Kovacic’s Parents – His Dad (Stipo Kovačić) and Mum (Ružica Kovačić).
Mateo Kovačić grew up in a Catholic family, sharing his childhood with his two lovely sisters, Katarina and Jelena Kovačić. Below, you can see a cherished photo of young Mateo with his beloved siblings.
Young Mateo Kovacic and his siblings.
Mateo Kovacic’s parents, notably his mother, were the brains behind discovering his son’s career.
While his dad was most of the time busy with work, his mum laid the foundation for Meteo’s career. This forms a vital memory of his childhood. As Meteo puts it,
I can remember my mother taking me to my first training session.
as soon as i performed some skills, everyone realised I was a good player.
Mateo Kovacic Early career years.
I was signed immediately.
My dream was always to play for a great team like Real Madrid.
This feat happened in the year 2000, and little Mateo (aged 6) got into the academy roster and served both as a student and a ball boy for LASK Linz.
Mateo Kovacic’s Hidden Story – The Steven Gerrard Snub:
While Mateo Kovacic was a child, he was snubbed by Steven Gerrard. That moment changed his life.
Almost every child dreams of meeting their sports idols or getting their autographs. For young Mateo Kovačić, that chance came when he served as a ballboy for his academy’s senior team during a Liverpool match.
After the Champions League game, Mateo eagerly ran up to Steven Gerrard, hoping to shake his hand. Sadly, Gerrard didn’t acknowledge the young fan, leaving Mateo heartbroken and in tears.
This moment deeply impacted Mateo. Determined to prove himself and overcome the disappointment, he vowed to work tirelessly to become a professional footballer. His ambition wasn’t just a fleeting dream; it was a driving force in his life.
Interestingly, the tables turned when Liverpool saw potential in Mateo as a future replacement for Gerrard in 2015. However, his lingering disappointment led him to reject their offer. More about Mateo’s early football journey and relationship life will follow.
About Izabel Andrijanic – Mateo Kovacic Wife:
Mateo Kovacic’s football skills and potential, combined with his off-pitch lifestyle, create a well-rounded image of him. As his career flourished, his charm attracted the attention of Izabel, a glamorous woman who fell in love with him.
Meet Izabel Andrijanic. She is Mateo Kovacic’s Wife.
Mateo Kovacic and Izabel Andrijanic have been in a committed relationship for several years. What began as a close friendship eventually blossomed into a deep and enduring love. Their journey together highlights the strong bond they share and adds a personal touch to Kovacic’s story.
How they met:
Both lovers met several years ago in a church in Croatia. Meteo was an altar boy, and Izabel sang in the choir.
Izabel is one year younger than her man. She is very educated and has a degree in Economics. Mateo appreciates her because she is beautiful and well-mannered.
The Marriage:
In 2017, Izabel and loverboy Mateo tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at St. Antunas Church. Following their vows, they celebrated their wedding with a reception at the elegant Westin Hotel in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital.
Izabel Andrijanic and Mateo Kovacic Wedding.
The selfies, which appear to be taken in their wedding car, show a happy Kovačić in a smart black jacket and a bow tie with his beautiful bride, who was in a lavish white dress.
After the wedding, Kovacic posted a photo on his social media account, which states;
“My past, my present, my future! #myeverything.”
As regards their hobbies, both lovers enjoy seaboat riding, especially during summer holidays.
Role of Kovacic Sisters:
The secret to Kovacic in having a successful relationship is attributed to his two beloved sisters; Katarina Kovačić and Jelena kovačić. As seen in the photo below, all girls enjoy a happy relationship with each other.
For Mateo Kovacic, having sisters has helped him learn how to keep a healthy relationship life.
Career Progression:
After his Gerrard neglect, young Kovacic decided to put everything he had into his youth career.
Just a few years after starting his youth career, he had a meteoric rise to the amazement of fans, coaches, and even referees as seen in the photo below.
As a humble boy, his ability to deal with fame was directly proportional to his ability to handle the ball which was seen even during his trials with the club.
Moving to Croatia:
In 2007, when Kovačić was 13, he was spotted by scouts from several prominent European clubs, including Ajax, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich. That same year, Mateo Kovacic’s dad got a new job in Croatia which was at that time, a stable country.
The new job made the Kovacic family relocate from Austria to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. The city’s club’s academy, GNK Dinamo Zagreb took advantage of that opportunity and requested the services of Mateo Kovacic.
Kovacic shunned the academies of other top European clubs and decided to join the Croatian giants.
At the club, three years before his senior career, young Mateo met Luka Modric for the first time. Luka, at that time, played for GNK Dinamo Zagreb’s senior side.
In discussing how significant meeting Modric was, Mateo Kovacic said;
Having the support of a player like Luka Modric was really important for me early on. He was there for two or three years before I met him. He was able to teach me a lot.
At the time they met, Luka Modric was 21 years old. Little did both know that they would become teammates someday.
However, it was certain Mateo would grow taller than his role model because Luka suffered from growth issues.
Mateo Kovacic Biography – Rise to Fame:
Since after that accolade, a lofty amount of pressure got placed on his shoulders, and he handled it well.
After leading his team to win two domestic league titles and two Croatian Cup titles, Mateo Kovacic decided to work his transfer to Inter.
Upon his arrival, Kovačić was given the number 10 shirt, previously worn by Wesley Sneijder.
While at Inter, he bonded well with Inter’s goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic, who spoke practically the same language with him. Below is a photo of both friends.
Mateo Kovacic Bio – Real Madrid Story:
While at Inter, he was again subjected to persistent transfer speculation. Inter at that time was forced to sell Kovačić to Real Madrid because of Financial Fair Play regulations.
This was a time Liverpool came calling, which brought back old memories of Steven Gerrard’s rejection. Hence, Kovacic decided to join Real Madrid.
Mateo Kovacic felt joyous by his welcoming – thanks to the President of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez.
The Croatian crack arrived in Madrid accompanied by his family and spectacular girlfriend (not married by then) Izabel Andrijanic, who stole the show at the presentation of her boyfriend at the Bernabéu.
As I update Mateo Kovacic’s Bio, everyone sees him as an elite footballer in the Premier League. Since joining Chelsea on a permanent deal, he has gotten the best out of his career, including winning the Champions League.
He is among a few Croatians (including Nicola Zalewski (LB), Nikola Vlasic and Dejan Lovren who have seen the good life in England.
Personal Life Away from Football:
As regards his likes, Mateo Kovacic loves gardening, romance, high-quality clothes, working with his hands, and, most importantly, playing snooker, as seen below.
Mateo Kovacic’s personal life involves thinking the African way. In his words,
“I don’t cook and I never will. It isn’t my job, it is the woman’s. My job is to bring money home and make life easier for my family.”
Kovacic has this to say about his priorities. In his words,
“It is true, football is not the most important thing in my life. It is more important for me to be a good and honest man and to have a family of my own.”
Kovačić is nicknamed “Il Professore” (The Professor). This name comes as a result of his deep-lying playmaking roles. Mateo is no doubt a mixture of Clearance Seedorf and Ricardo Kaka.
Fact Check:
Thanks for reading our version of Mateo Kovacic’s Biography. We strive for accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver you Croatian Football Stories.
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