Why I've quit? A few reasons.
First, and most important, money. My local side Rijeka asked for 50K € for a first-team slot and for signing a professional contract. Just to be on the bench for a season! That was totally disgusting cause i gave my best 9 years of life to that club and strangely i still love them. I played for Rijeka since i was 9 years old. That's how they treat youth systems in Croatian football. You have to pay to play.
Second, they demanded that a player agency owned me. I was not willing to let that happen, as i wanted to be the ownership of NK Rijeka. But no, things don't go that way in Croatian football.
Third, my weaker (left) foot was crushed like 5-6 times during those 9 years. The last time i was out for 3 months, barely finished high school, cause of a moron that kicked me into the banners close to the pitch. While running down the left (Gazza-style) i out-dribbled him, but he came again when i was about to cross and he pushed me into the banners. Result? Torn ligaments, 3 months out, the match was paused for 15 minutes till the ambulance arrived. At 17 years of age. Go figure.
Those are the three main reasons.
Anyway, i played as a central midfielder, type of player Niko Kranjcar/Juninho Pernambucano. Niko Kranjcar because i was a bit overweight (Gazza/Maradona style) and Juninho because of hitting free kicks on a regular basis. And the fact Juninho was born on the same date as me, except a few years before. January 30th.
I guess you could say i tended towards slowing the tempo and orchestrating the midfield and attack. When i got the chance, obviously.
