The World Cup photographer became the center of attention during Croatia’s World Cup semi-final against England.
You might remember Mexican correspondent for Agence France-Presse (AFP), Salvadoran Yuri Cortez, for being trampled by Croatian footballers during a goal celebration against England at the World Cup this summer. Because some of the best photos were captured by Cortez at that moment, as a token of Croatia’s appreciation, the legendary photography has been enjoying a seven-day holiday in Croatia with his family thanks to the invitation of the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ). Cortez has visited Split, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik, and will continue to see the charms of Šibenik, Zadar, Opatija, Rovinj and Pula and either National Park Kornati or Nature Park Telašćica.
Cortez enjoyed the cultural and natural beauties and gastronomic specialties in Split and conveyed his impressions through his social networks to an audience of more than 25,000 people.
Sunrise in Split, Croatia ??. Amanecer en Split. A comenzar una nueva jornada #CroatiaFullofLife #ElSalvador #Croatia #Croacia #Salvadoreños #landscape #paisaje pic.twitter.com/2v7qAQJxg7
— Yuri Cortez (@YuriYurisky) 4 de septiembre de 2018
“I am completely satisfied with my stay in Split. In particular, I was impressed by the many tourists in the city and the hospitality of the locals. Split is definitely a place to visit and a place I will recommend, and I will be an ambassador of Croatian tourism. After our tour, I see room for further tourism development in this area,” Cortez said.
The director of the Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County, Joško Stella, and the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić, also welcomed Cortez.
“We are pleased that Mr. Cortez has been given the opportunity to meet our beautiful country. We will use this opportunity to warmly welcome Mr. Cortez and his family,” Stella said.
“The World Cup and the success of our ‘Vatreni’ has brought Croatia and Split invaluable promotion. The moment when Mr. Cortez was caught in the middle of the celebration showed just how compassionate and polite our national team is, showing Croatians as true hosts, which we will prove through this holiday. Mr. Cortez’s photographs show pure emotion, and we are confident that this trip is the best way to thank him,” Alijana Vukšić added.
Cortez is 53-year-old photojournalist and head of the Mexican AFP correspondence, the third largest newspaper agency in the world. In his professional career, he also photographed natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and battlefields around the world. Cortez became the center of attention in the semi-final of the World Cup in Russia when Croatian footballers trampled Cortez while celebrating a goal against England. Cortez continued to photograph the players, who then helped him up.
