SW News: As the FIFA World CUP tournament in Qatar progresses to the semi-finals, Croatia, a small country in Europe with a population of around just 4 million, has been emerging as one of the best teams of the tournament. On December 9, the Croatian team won the quarter-final match against the five-time champions Brazil. The match was won in a penalty shootout.

On Sunday, before the pre-quarter game against Japan, the Croatian team participated in a Holy Mass, a report which was confirmed by Croatian media. A priest arrived in Qatar from Croatia to celebrate Mass for the team members. Many of the players in the Croatian team are known to be devout Catholics, including the team captain Luka Modrić.

A picture of Modrić holding an image of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati went viral on social media recently. In May 2019, Modric shared an image of his son Ivano’s Holy Communion on Instagram.

Another devout Catholic on the team is Mateo Kovačić. He has been playing for the Croatian team as a midfielder. Kovačić, who was an altar boy in his young age, never misses Sunday Mass.

When it comes to the Catholic faith, the team’s coach Zlatko Dalić is also considered a very devout Catholic. Dalic had visited the famous Marian pilgrimage center in Medjugorje before the tournament. He could be seen clinging to his Rosary beads during the team’s matches.

The faith of this European team has inspired Catholics around the world. Croatia will face Argentina in the semi-finals on December 14.