By transferring to Benfika Lisbon, you have broken all contractual obligations with Slavia. How will you remember this club?

I played at home for NK Zagreb, when in 2017 I suddenly received an offer from Slavia. I agreed with my manager Milan Martinovič that I would try, that I would go to the exam for a week if I wanted to in Prague. We did it and in the end it went well. I went to Slavia. He will remain in my heart forever, they will be beautiful memories. I won the title with it, I became the top scorer in the Czech league, you’ll never forget that.

Aren’t you a little sorry that you no longer belong to Slavia?

A small yes, as I said, I had a wonderful time in it. But that’s the life of football, you aim for a better career. I’m really happy with the step I’ve taken now, Benfica is a big step forward.

Has your football dream come true or do you have even bigger goals?

I have a few, but now they are very full. I repeat, it’s a big step in my career, I’m delighted. Now it’s up to me to work and try to go even higher.

There are rumors that Boavista Porto, where you were visiting this season, failed to fulfill their financial obligations to Slavia. She wouldn’t have paid for your accommodation. Weren’t you afraid that it would ruin your possible participation in Benfica?

I didn’t think about those things at all, I just focused on myself to give the best performance and score goals. About the things I can influence and change. What was happening in the background was none of my business. Eleven hits may not have had such a bad balance.

Did you know that your tenth hit means an increase in severance pay?

Yes, I was aware of this clause which was in the contract. But I only focused on myself, scoring goals for the team to succeed. I haven’t solved anything around.

However, Slavia lacked a classic spring-your-type shooter, fans directly called for a return. Did you perceive it?

I do not know what to say. I made guest appearances to play regularly, there was nothing else in it. I chose Portugal and it was good. The Slavic fans are the best in the Czech Republic, I had a great relationship with them, they always created the perfect atmosphere, inside and out. I also like to remember them. But I think my move to Portugal also paid off for Slavia, because it brought me a lot of money.

Do you still have friends in Slavia you call?

I still have a few, we call, we write. I understand Oscar well, but also the Czech players, I don’t want to say which one is the greatest. I could touch someone.

What did coach Jindřich Trpišovský bring you?

It means a lot to my development. He gave me a lot of important information on how to prepare, how to do on the pitch. I am happy to have been able to work with such an expert, he certainly helped me a lot to improve.

However, you caught the mania of shooting for a guest in 2019 at Liberec. Will this Czech club also remain in your heart?

I also met an excellent trainer there, Mr. Hoftych is an excellent person. His training brought me a lot, it also helped me a lot in my career. I caught a shooting form below, which I transferred to Slavia.

In 2019/2020, with the Spartan Libor Kozák, you became the king of scorers in the Czech league with 14 goals. What does this mean for you?

A lot. i was a young boy (at the age of 22 he became the youngest player to achieve this prestigious award), I didn’t even play the basics every time. In the fall I was invited to Liberec, then in the spring I returned only to Slavia. Nobody believed that I could achieve such a thing, only myself. And my relatives around. It meant a lot to me.

Do you think that’s the main reason Portuguese Boavista Porto noticed you?

It was known. When I arrived to sign the contract, everyone reminded me what kind of player I was behind. That’s why they wanted me.

Is it easier to score goals in the Portuguese or Czech league?

It’s hard everywhere, I can’t choose. In Portugal, we play more technical football, there are more quality players, it’s an observation. No wonder the local league is among the top six in Europe. That’s why I wanted to stay here, this football suits me. I also had offers from elsewhere, mainly from other countries for lower competitions, but I didn’t like it. The Czech championship is also very demanding, the striker does not have much time or space to finish calmly. And it helped me a lot to settle in Portugal.

Success in the club is the basis for breaking into the national team. What are your goals in a native Croatia shirt?

Now I received the first invitation to the Nations League matches from coach Zlatek Dalič. I really appreciate it, it’s hard to put into words. It’s like a gift for everything I’ve done on the pitch. I look forward to the home games against Austria and
especially against France, I may have the opportunity, at least for a while. I will be ready to help the team as much as possible.

And in November, the World Cup takes place in Qatar, where Croatia have fought their way…

So far I have received an invitation, the first of my career, to the upcoming matches. I don’t know if I will stay in the team. I will do everything to persevere. Everything will become clear in what form I will take.

Did you know that Slavia was at the origin of the development of Croatian football, in particular that it was responsible for the creation of the club Hajduk Split?

I know that Slavia and Hajduk had a lot in common in history. The fans have a great relationship, it still persists.

Have you ever been to the Prague restaurant U Fleků, where Hajduk was founded by Croatian students studying in Prague?

I’ve heard of it, but unfortunately I haven’t gotten there yet. But not every day is over. When I have a vacation and it works out, I’ll be happy to come to Prague. I have friends there outside of football so we can finally watch Flek.