The artist attended the recent ceremony where Croatia’s Luka Modrić was named FIFA’s player of the year.
Ana Barbić Katičić designed the FIFA trophy which was recently received by Croatia’s Luka Modrić as the best football player in the world, reports Index.hr on September 27, 2018.
The Croatian artist attended the awards ceremony in London and shared her impressions. “It is a moment I will remember my whole life. It was magnificent. The selection of Luka Modrić from Croatia as the best player of the world, while billions of people in the world play and watch football, is one of the most glorious events in our sports history. The fact that he received an award designed by a Croatian artist makes me indescribably proud,” said Ana.
While designing the trophy, she worked closely with the former Croatian footballer and now FIFA official Zvonimir Boban. “Boban is a person of extraordinary character, an athlete and an intellectual with inexhaustible life energy, knowledge and love for football. He is part of the foundations of Croatian sports. To cooperate with him was a privilege. My heart was filled with emotions while I was listening to Luka’s speech in which he thanked his idol. And emotions are something which is the most beautiful in us all,” she said.
She added that, while she was designing the trophy, she did not even think about all the football legends who would hold it in their hands. “I was just devoted to the idea of creating a sports trophy, creating a form that respects the sports values that have been celebrated for generations, and which, by linking the past, the contemporary look and the future, would confirm the identity that FIFA has. I gradually became aware that the best footballers in the world would hold it in their hands for many years to come, and was honoured by the fact that Ronaldo has twice received it,” she said.
“But this year has surpassed all my expectations. This is the year of Luka Modrić and the Croatian national football team. A number of our players were among the nominees for awards, and national football team manager Zlatko Dalić is one of the three best in the world. Luka’s life story, personality and skills inspire admiration, and now he has deservedly received the confirmation of the whole world,” she concluded.
Translated from Index.hr.
