Croatian midfielder of Kryvbas Khrvoje Ilich said that he received an invitation to go to the academy of Catalan Barcelona when he was playing for Zagreb Dynamo.
Khrvoje Ilich"The president of Dynamo (Zagreb) Zdravko Mamic contacted my agent and offered me to join their Academy. I confess, at that time I was one of the most promising young footballers in Croatia. I was happy to receive such an offer from a top club in my country because I wanted to grow and reach a new level.
Moving, parting with my family — all of this was a real stress for me. I thank my mother, who often visited me in Zagreb and eased my sadness. By the way, not long before this, I had an invitation from Barcelona. But I refused, as I was only 14 years old and I was not ready to live so far from home," said Ilich.
