From Obscurity to Stardom: Croatian Shines in Greece
Adrian Jagušić is playing the best football of his career after the arrival of a new coach, and Greek media can't believe the previous manager ignored his talent.
Adrian Jagušić is playing the best football of his career after the arrival of a new coach, and Greek media can't believe the previous manager ignored his talent.
The story of Adrian Jagušić at Athens' Panathinaikos has taken a brilliant new turn. The young Croatian footballer, who arrived from Koprivnica's Slaven Belupo in February 2026 for five million euros, has gone from complete obscurity to becoming one of the key players for the Greek giants. The turning point came with the arrival of new coach Jacob Neestrup, after previous manager Rafa Benitez completely ignored his potential.
Moving to Greece was supposed to be a career step forward, but the first five months turned into a nightmare. Under Spaniard Benitez, known for favoring physical strength over technique, Jagušić played just 84 minutes across all competitions. He watched matches from the bench and the stands, and his talent sank into oblivion. Many had already begun to doubt that he would become yet another Croatian player lost in the whirlwind of European football.
His absence from the pitch was especially painful given that he had already been mentioned as a potential candidate for the national team, first under coach Zlatko Dalić, and now under Slaven Bilić. However, without club minutes, those doors remained firmly shut.
The situation changed dramatically with the arrival of Jacob Neestrup at the Panathinaikos helm. Jagušić got his chance and seized it with both hands. He impressed during summer preparations with excellent performances, particularly standing out with a masterful assist in the victory over Dutch side Ajax. That was just a taste of what was to come.
In the previous round of the Conference League, he scored two goals against Hungary's Paks, and then found the net again in the first leg of the third qualifying round against CSKA 1948 Sofia. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and Greek media are now thrilled, openly wondering how Benitez failed to see his technical superiority and readiness.
Jagušić's resurgence is not just a sports story; it's a testament to his character. He wasn't at fault for his situation, and after Benitez's departure, he has proven with every match that Panathinaikos didn't pay five million euros for him without reason. Now, the question of his place in the Croatian national team is back on the table.
His return to the big stage instills hope that he could soon receive a call-up from coach Slaven Bilić. The story of a young man who literally climbed out of the 'pit' he was thrown into through no fault of his own is now one of the most beautiful football stories with a Croatian stamp.
