Croatian striker Kalinic who refused to come on against Nigeria rejects World Cup silver medal

CROATIAN striker Nikola Kalinic who was sent home from the World Cup for refusing to come on against Nigeria when the Super Eagles on June 16 in Kaliningrad has rejected the silver medal offered to him after his team finished second in the tournament.

Zlatko Dalic, Croatia's head coach, sent Kalinic back after he refused to come on towards the end of the match, saying he had a back problem. Apparently unhappy at not being started, Kalinic, 30, the AC Milan striker, complained about not being fit and after the game refused to apologise for his actions.

Kalinic, who played for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League between 2009 and 2011 and has scored 15 goals in 41 appearances for Croatia, was starting his fourth international in a row on the bench, which he was apparently unhappy with. He spent last season on loan at AC Milan from Fiorentina, scoring six goals in 41 appearances, before making the move permanent this summer.

Despite Kalinic being sent home and Croatia unable to replace him, the team still got to the final of the World Cup, losing 2-4 to France. Now back in Croatia and feted as heroes, the team all have silver medals to their names but Kalinic has refused to take part in the celebrations or accept the laurel.

When offered, he said: “Thank you but I did not play in Russia." Apparently, Kalinic felt he would have been a better option than targetman Mario Mandzukic who was Coach Dalic's preferred starter.

Dalic claims Kalinic did the same in a World Cup warm-up against Brazil and also during a training session. While in Russia, Dalic said he needs players who are willing and ready to play for the team.