Croatian international Ana Maria Marković has returned to Split and signed for Hajduk. In an emotional interview, she reveals why this was more than just a transfer, how she overcame a serious knee injury, and who her biggest support was along the way.
Returning to Split is more than just a new chapter in Ana Maria Marković's career. For the 26-year-old Croatian international, joining Hajduk means fulfilling a dream that began when she cheered on the whites from the stands of Poljud as a young girl. After years abroad, from Switzerland to the USA, the striker is returning to her family's roots.
Her transfer coincides with the start of a season in which the reigning champions are defending their title and competing in Europe. For Marković, this is a chance for a fresh start, especially after a period marked by a serious injury and frequent changes of environment.
Although she was born and raised in Zurich, Split was never a foreign city to her. Her mother's family has roots in the region, and summer stays and family gatherings created a strong bond. The first contact with the club and its management only confirmed that the decision was right.
"When I realized they truly wanted me and had a plan to develop me as a player and help me progress, it was easy to make that decision," Marković told Gloria.
A particularly strong impression was made by her first entrance onto Poljud from a completely new perspective. "As a child, I always came to Poljud and cheered for Hajduk. Back then, it was unimaginable to me that I would one day wear this jersey. But my dreams and desires eventually came true," she recalled.
For her entire family, this transfer was an extremely emotional event. "Everyone was overjoyed, they went completely crazy with happiness. I think I'm fulfilling another dream for them too," she added. The proximity of her family is one of the key reasons why the return meant so much to her. "My whole family is here in Split, and I'm not alone; that connection means a lot to me and makes everything easier," she emphasized.
She only started playing football seriously at the age of 14, and the main credit goes to her sister Kristina, who is also a professional footballer. Their relationship has been a mix of support and healthy competition for years. "We both always wanted to be better than the other, and I think that's exactly what made us better. Today, we are each other's biggest support in life," Ana Maria explains.
Alongside her international career, Marković has become a globally recognized face of women's football, with nearly three million followers on social media. However, the biggest turning point in her career came with a serious injury. In the spring of 2023, during a match for Grasshopper against FC Zürich, she suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus.
Surgery and a long rehabilitation followed. "I learned a lot about my body during that time, but also about my professional career," she admitted. It was precisely during that challenging period that she realized how important it is to have someone by your side who understands the life of a top athlete.
That role in her life is played by Portuguese footballer Tomas Ribeiro. Their relationship began in 2023, and they met in Zurich while both wore the Grasshopper jersey-he in the men's team and she in the women's team. "It's very important to me that he understands what a sports career entails. He supports me in everything, and I've learned a lot from him because he's truly the most professional footballer I know," she emphasized.
It was Ribeiro who was by her side at the crucial moment. "He was in the room with me when the call came. He immediately said: 'Ana, I feel this is it-you're going to sign.' He's overjoyed for me," Marković revealed.
The experience of recent years has changed her view of professional sport. She realized that top results depend not only on talent and training but also on discipline in daily routines, as well as allowing herself small pleasures. "I always have to plan what I'll eat, whether I need to prepare something in advance and take it with me. Recovery is also very important, and I make sure I'm fully ready for training. But I also love trying new things and enjoying life," she says.
Although she admits that ice cream is her biggest weakness, her focus is now on a new chapter in a city she has known her whole life. "I know all of Split, but now I'll experience it in a completely different way-as someone who lives here, not just 'passing through'," she explains.
When asked about expectations at Hajduk, she doesn't mention goals or statistics. "What I want most is to be happy, satisfied, healthy, and to enjoy Croatia as much as possible," she concluded, with an appeal to the fans: "We need all of you in the stands; the support of the fans gives us extra strength and motivation to keep working. I think these girls here have earned it through their work and results."
