Vlasic pulls out of EURO with Croatia due to injury

Croatia's Nikola Vlasic left national team training camp on Tuesday after suffering a muscle injury that will prevent him from playing the rest of Euro 2024, in which he did not play against Spain in his team's only game so far.

"Croatia international Nikola Vlasic will leave the national team camp and miss the rest of the European Championship due to a muscle injury," the Croatian Football Federation said.

Vlasic did get some playing time, 16 minutes, in the friendly match against Portugal that ended in a Balkan victory, the last one before travelling to Nueruppin, a town near Berlin where Croatia are preparing for the tournament.

The player arrived in Germany injured and on Tuesday, after feeling discomfort in training on Monday, he underwent medical tests which confirmed the relapse.

"Nikola put in a lot of effort to help the team at Euro 2024 and is an integral part of the squad. Unfortunately, this second injury occurred, and I can only thank him for everything he has done here," said coach Zlatko Dalic.

"I am very sorry that this new injury will prevent me from helping the team. I have done everything I can to be ready, and I would like to thank the coach and the coaching staff for the opportunity. I believe in this team and I'm sure they will succeed, I'll be their biggest fan!"

Vlasic's injury has done little to disrupt Croatia's plans as they face Albania on Wednesday and must win to maintain their chances of progressing to the last 16 after their 3-0 defeat to Spain. 

 

June 18, 2024