It’s impossible to discuss Sead Kolasinac’s story without acknowledging his modest beginnings. Known by the nickname “The Tank,” Sead’s journey is a testament to his resilience and talent.
Sead’s father, Faik Kolasinac, was born in Nikšić, Montenegro, and later moved with his family to Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1969. There, Faik met Sead’s mother, and they eventually married. The Bosnian War forced the couple to flee to Germany to escape the conflict.
Sead’s story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. Growing up in the suburbs of Karlsruhe, he spent his free time honing his skills with a football, steering clear of negative influences through his dedication to the game. His involvement in school football competitions played a great role in shaping his path to sporting success.
Now, let’s delve into the heart of Sead Kolasinac’s journey and uncover the full story behind his rise from humble beginnings to football stardom.
The Making of ‘The Tank’: Sead Kolasinac’s Path to Football Stardom
While many know Sead Kolasinac as a formidable, no-nonsense defender with a strong, muscular presence on the field, few delve into the details of his biography. His story is quite fascinating. So, let’s dive in and explore it in depth.
Sead Kolasinac Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Sead Kolasinac was born on the 20th day of June 1993 in Karlsruhe, Germany. He was born to his mother (name unknown) and his father, Faik Kolašinac. Both parents pictured below are Muslims of Bosniak origin.
Introducing Sead Kolasinac’s Parents – Mr and Mrs Faik Kolašinac.
Sead Kolasinac comes from a comfortable lower-middle-class family background. Back then, while his mum cared for the family with her delicious burek and cabbage rolls, Sead’s dad worked as a factory worker for a German Mercedes Benz factory.
Family Migration to Germany:
Sead’s Dad, Faik, was born in Nikšić, Montenegro. In 1969, his family moved to Čapljina, a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At Capljina, Faik met Sead’s mum, and both fell in love and got married. The ruthless Bosnia War made both his parents migrate to Germany in other to save their lives from oppressors.
In Germany, their football star son, Sead Kolasinac, was born into a middle-class family they had set up for themselves.
Early Life:
Often, we hear about rags-to-riches stories in football. These stories talk about how players who come from poor backgrounds later became stars. Sead Kolasinac’s story is no different.
Sead grew up with his sister named Sabrina Kolasinac. Growing up, Sead was much closer to his mum and had a resemblance to his dad whom he shares a similar muscular frame.
Young Sead Kolasinac was enjoying the company of his Mum.
“It’s all about genetics,” his father once said. Religion had always played a significant part in his upbringing.
As a poor industry factory worker, Faik often remembers how his son would sometimes skip school to go to Islamic classes at the mosque. There were also times Sead would go hungry rather than eat pork meat.
As a child, Sead would spend all of his free time with a ball in the suburbs of Karlsruhe. It was his participation in his school’s competitive football that steered him away from bad choices he could have made as a child. Looking back, Sead Kolasinac reminisces about his childhood days fondly:
“As soon as school was out, we’d head to the local pitch and play until our mothers had to drag us away late at night. We started on a clay pitch, and later, a new astroturf cage was built next to it, so we’d play there as well.”
said Sead Kolasinac as he once reflected on his early footballing days. Those evenings he spent in the clay pitch and astroturf cage finally paid dividends.
Sead Kolasinac Biography Facts – Early Career Life:
Kolasinac’s passion for the game saw him enrolling into the roster of Karlsruher SC at the age of 8. This academy once boasted of having the likes of Nico Schlotterbeck, the German defensive tower.
Kolasinac’s career foundation was laid by this local club, and Sead made progress through their age groups until he was 16.
In 2009, Kolasinac left Karlsruher SC to join Hoffenheim, where he played for just a season. Despite having a good season, Sead still remained unsettled with the club’s youth setup.
Driven by his talent and determination to succeed, Sead Kolasinac sought out the best clubs to help him achieve his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Reflecting on his journey, he shared:
“After Hoffenheim, I moved to Stuttgart, and things didn’t go as well as I hoped. But these challenges are part of a young player’s journey.”
Road to Fame Story:
Despite things not working out, Sead just had the luck of passing trials!!.
After passing a certain trial, he got the chance at Schalke, where he met a God-sent called Norbert Elgert, the current FC Schalke 04 U-19 manager (as at the time of writing).
Norbert is known as the “Youth Talent Factory Expert,” and his influence has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many young footballers, including Sead Kolasinac and Malick Thiaw. Reflecting on his experience with Norbert, Kolasinac once shared with Arsenal Media:
“It was only when I met Norbert that I believed I had a real chance in football. He took me aside and told me that if I followed his guidance and put in the effort, I could make it to the senior team.”
Kolasinac began to see significant progress as soon as he embraced Norbert’s advice, which many young players regard as invaluable.
In the end, Sead Kolasinac was shaped into a remarkable player with a strong personality, earning his place in FC Schalke 04’s senior team—all thanks to his fortunate circumstances and the guidance of those who believed in him.
Did you know?… Norbert Elgert was the man responsible for generating most of Schalke’s young talents (namely, Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler, Leroy Sane (RW), Manuel Neuer, etc) who have shone for both their club and country.
Getting Help from Ozil:
When Sead Kolasinac joined FC Schalke’s senior team, his first contact was Mesut Özil, who helped him settle in. Their shared migrant and Muslim backgrounds made their connection seamless.
Over his six years at Schalke, Sead built a reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s top defenders.
In May 2017, Kolašinac made the decision not to renew his contract with Schalke 04, thus ending his six-year spell at the German club.
Luckily, this was a time Arsenal was in search of a versatile defender. On 6 June 2017, Sead Kolasinac reunited with his old friend Mesut Ozil after signing on a free transfer with Arsenal.
Getting to London, Kolasinac immediately became the type of player that Arsenal has been criticized for not having in years. He quickly cemented himself as an early fan’s favourite at the Emirates, a moment he got the nickname “The Tank“.
Everything paid off for Kolasinac right from the moment he played his first game, where he scored against Chelsea and earned himself a trophy.
Winning the player of the month in the first two premier league months of his Emirate stay surely confirmed he was in the hearts of Arsenal fans. The rest, as they say, is history.
Love Story with Jana:
Kolasinac is one of those footballers whose romances escape the scrutiny of the public eye simply because his love life is drama-free. The defender has been with his longtime lover named, Jana.
The two met in Gelsenkirchen during his early days with Schalke 04. Little is known about Jana. Apparently, she has a rather interesting hobby, which is; “Bird Watching“.
Personal Life:
Getting to know Sead Kolasinac’s personal life would help you get a complete picture of him.
About his Ice Bucket Challenge:
When a footballer takes part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, fans often become curious about the personal connections and friends they mention. Surprisingly, Sead Kolasinac named his fellow Bosnian footballer, Miralem Pjanić, among others.
Working Out:
Away from football, Sead’s personal workout routine isn’t complete without using a bed mattress. The way and manner he works out relate to the reason why he is called a “tank”.
Loves his Roots:
Kolasinac is someone who respects and has shows allegiance to his roots despite growing up in Germany.
Even while growing up in Germany, Sead often listens to Bosnian music and loves his Islamic faith.
While on holidays, Sead loves to go visit his mum Karlsruhe once a week to eat his mother’s burek and cabbage rolls.
Love for his Dog:
Traditionally for Muslims, dogs are seen as impure and Muslims are warned against most contact with dogs. Sead Kolasinac has an unconditional love for his Wolfpack dog.
Like for Rihanna :
Sead has a personal likeness for Barbadian singer, businesswoman, diplomat, actress, dancer, and songwriter, Rihanna.
Dislikes Today’s Poor Youth Football Climate:
As a child, Sead Kolasinac cherished his time playing football with a big group of friends. “In fact, sometimes around 7 or 8 pm, we’d have to wait outside because the pitch was packed,” Kolasinac recalls.
Reflecting on those days, he still fondly remembers those evenings.
“Nowadays, you drive your car past a typical football pitch and rarely see kids playing, thanks to smartphones and computers,”
he lamented, expressing his disappointment with the current state of youth football.
Untold Facts
About his Nickname:
It might be easy to overlook if you haven’t been paying close attention, but did you know? When you watch Sead Kolasinac charge down the pitch with the ball, he moves with the formidable presence of a tank.
“In Bosnia, they call me ‘The Tank’ too! I’m happy to have such a cool nickname,” Kolasinac shared.
Making a Bizzare World Cup Record:
Just like his former Schalke teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng, Kolašinac has played for two countries (Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina) on the international stage.
From a global perspective, Kolasinac is perhaps best remembered negatively for the early own goal he scored at the 2014 World Cup against Argentina.
Showing a face of anguish (photo below), that goal still haunts him to date.
Fact Check:
Thanks for reading Sead Kolasinac’s hidden story. We strive for accuracy and fairness in our delivery of football stories, including those of Bosnia and Herzegovina origins. Please stay tuned for more! Surely, the Life Histories of Emre Can and Edin Džeko will excite you.
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