Martin Kramaric shines in Russia and knocks on the national team’s door: ‘I’ve believed in myself throughout my career and I always will’

Published on 21. August 2023 21. August 2023

The best clubs in Slovenia had him on their radar for a long time, but – surprisingly – they didn’t go for him. Even some Croatian clubs, to whom he was presented as a footballer who can do and do a lot, were not too impressed. Who knows what distracted them, but there are probably quite a few now who deeply regret having allowed it to happen to them. Martin Kramarič slip through their fingers. And as a free footballer, without having to pay a penny in compensation!

But what was a loss for many, was for the Russian top-flight club
Sochi
almost like winning the lottery. In this Olympic city, Martin Kramaric immediately shifted into top gear and started where he left off with Bravo. He is more than obviously not bothered or hindered by the fact that the Russian league is far above the Slovenian one in terms of quality. Martin Kramaric scored three goals and registered an assist in three games for Sochi.

Last weekend, he shone against Rostov, scoring three goals in Sochi’s 4-0 win. SofaScore gave him a stunning 9.7 rating for his display, and Martin Kramaric was also voted the best player of the match. He took home his first Russian award.

Martin Kramaric: “I have always preferred to judge myself”

“I have to admit, it’s quite difficult,” he said with a laugh, introducing the
Planet Football
Martin Kramarič, who is not particularly moved by the individual accolades.I won’t say that I don’t like attention. It’s always nice to be the centre of attention. But I have never paid much attention to the reviews in the media. I have always preferred to evaluate myself. Well, it’s true that I played very well against Rostov, I managed to do practically everything. It is nice to hear so many compliments, but, as I said, I do not pay too much attention to it.”

“The biggest difference between the Slovenian and Russian leagues is ‘physics’. There is a lot of one-on-one play, there is a lot of duelling, but above all it is based on strength. As far as ‘physics’ is concerned, everything is two, three levels above the Slovenian league.”

Regardless, the statistics show that Martin Kramaric really shouldn’t complain about how his Russian adventure started. “I am without a doubt happy with my opening performances in a Sochi jersey. I think I made good use of the opportunity. So far, so good. I must not complain. I feel good, and I also feel the trust and support of the coaches, the professional staff and my teammates,“, admitted the former Maribor footballer.

However, Martin Kramaric went on to admit that he has not had such a good start in the strong Russian championship, where the quality has always been at a very high level, and things have not changed too much even after the recent events.

Credit also goes to Vanja Drkusic

“Throughout my career I have believed in myself and I always will. I know what I am capable of. At the same time, it is true that I did not think that everything would go so well in Sochi right from the start. I expected that it would take me at least a month or two to adapt to the new environment and the new competition. After all, it was my first time abroad and I really didn’t think it would go so smoothly. To get used to the higher level of football in particular so quickly. But I have to admit that I really don’t have a problem. I would also like to thank Vanja Drkušić, who was really helpful when I arrived in Soca. When you have someone like that by your side, everything is easier,“, Martin Kramarič publicly thanked the hot defender, who is being chased by a bunch of famous clubs.

The fact that he didn’t go abroad as a bald-faced youngster, but as an experienced 25-year-old who can boast that he played 195 games in the Telemach First League before leaving for Russia, certainly contributed to his quick adaptation. “Many people ask me if I regret not going abroad sooner. I answer everyone that I am happy with everything that has happened. And I’m glad it is the way it is. The road ahead has not always been easy. I have been to Maribor, I have been to Bravo, I have been through and survived a lot. Above all, it has matured. And maybe it’s better that I went abroad for the first time when I was 25. I am much more experienced, and who knows, maybe that makes it easier for me,“, the footballer, who has also played for Krško and Krka in the past, is not hiding it.

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If you can tell by the morning, then Kramaric has a successful season ahead of him. What are his goals going into it? “The main goal when I left for Russia was to find my place in the team and prove my qualities as quickly as possible. It was, as I said, a great start and today I could say that I wouldn’t mind being at the same point at the end of the season as I was last time I was with Bravo. Only time will tell how realistic all this is,” says Martin Kramarič, who spent last season in 1. He finished his career in the SNL with 31 appearances, 12 goals and 6 assists.

“Everyone wants to play for the national team”

How it will be in the future remains to be seen, but if Martin Kramaric continues as he started, then Matjaž Kek will soon start to take notice of him. We have no doubt that the selector Slovenian of the national team is following his games, and we are sure that he has not remained indifferent to the player’s superb start to the season. “Playing for the national team is something everyone aspires to. I am no exception. I want to represent the colours of Slovenia, but at the same time I am aware that it is not the players who decide. There are others for that,“, Martin Kramarič made it clear at the end of the interview that he is still very interested in playing in the jersey with the national coat of arms.