Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic Wins Hearts At World Cup

Even though they didn't win, you can bet on their being a real sense of pride and joy right across Croatia today as their team got to the World Cup final for the first time ever.

Despite being the reason the Three Lions were sent packing, many England fans praised the Croatian team for their determination throughout the competition.

And it wasn't just on the pitch the Croatians were winning folk over, the Croatian Prime Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic proved to be a big hit with football fans as she was spotted supporting her side, hugging fans and even congratulating French President Emmanuel Macron after France won 4-2 in the final. She's more gracious than I would have been, I'll give her that.

The president missed the England semi-final match, due to a Nato summit (well, she is a politician first and foremost) but she rocked up to other Croatian games with a huge smile on her face, wearing her team's shirt, which is a nice change from the usual suit and tie officials were...I'm looking at you, Macron.

PA

PA

Yesterday, Grabar-Kitarovic, 50, beamed as Croatia made history, taking part in their first World Cup final and she honestly couldn't have looked prouder.

After the final whistle she stood out in the rain, without an umbrella, to hug players from both sides and was snapped having a laugh with Macron who looked like he was going to burst into tears of joy at any point.

PA

But she wasn't just there for the final, Grabar-Kitarovic proudly supported her team every chance she got, attending games when she could and supporting them on her social media accounts.

After the team got through to the quarter-finals, Grabar-Kitarovic popped into the players' changing room and celebrated with the team. I can't quite imagine Theresa May doing this, can you?

On social media, footie fans from across the world have heaped praise on Grabar-Kitarovic for embodying what it means to be both a football supporter and a leader.

Speaking to RT before the match, she said: "Gold or silver, we're on top of the world."

How nice is that?

Topics: Football, World Cup, Politics

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19