Young hopes – Mark Kerin (Dinamo Zagreb): a ‘Legionnaire’ at 15, listening to the advice of an idol and a true Slovenian legend

Published on 13. April 2023 13. April 2023

When the last game of the qualification for the Cadet European Championship, which will take place in Hungary from May to June this year, was over, the Croatians jumped into each other’s arms and the Slovenians fell on the ground in frustration. Although both of them actually made it to the final tournament! But there was so much confusion in the air on the one hand, and so much conflicting information on the other, that many people were not sure for some time whether it was
the U17 Slovenian national team
had succeeded or not.

The youngest of all the national team members

“At first I really thought that we would not qualify for the European Championship after the defeat to Croatia, so I was really disappointed and on the verge of tears,” admitted Mark Kerin, our guest in this week’s edition of the
Young hopes
. But hardly 15-year-old The defender and his national team teammates, who were so focused on what was happening on the pitch that they didn’t care about Uefa’s maths, were able to jump into each other’s arms. They qualified for the European Championships! “I felt fantastic,” says Mark Kerin, who played two matches in the decisive qualifying tournament against Norwegian, where Slovenia scored a crucial victory, and Croatia. It should be added that he was even the second youngest of all the Slovenian national team!

Photo source: personal archive (Mark Kerin)

“To be perfectly honest, for a few hours after the game was over, I couldn’t quite grasp what we had actually achieved. We were all filled with emotions, emotions were very present and of course we knew how to have fun,” continued Mark Kerin, a 2007-born footballer from Krško, who believes that Slovenia can achieve a lot at the final tournament. “To be perfectly honest, we have a very good feeling. We are a very good team, but above all a team with heart. We are all for one and one for all,” said Mark Kerin.

The famous cousin of the Brava jersey

There is no doubt that the upcoming tournament will be packed with Scouts from many clubs all over Europe. Will any of the Slovenians manage to get a transfer abroad? Let us be surprised. But Mark Kerin will certainly not be playing to break out. He is already playing abroad. From the summer of 2021 onwards, it’s already starting to take shape in neighbouring Croatia, where the cousin of Luka Kerin, a Brava player who also played for Inter Milan in his younger years, is wearing the jersey of the cadet team of the Zagreb giant Dinamo.

“I started playing football abroad with Lokomotiva Zagreb, where I only trained for half of the season, because unfortunately FIFA hadn’t confirmed my registration at that time. Within half a year, Dinamo Zagreb offered me a contract and, after careful consideration, I decided to transfer. We all know that Dinamo has one of the best football schools in Europe. The biggest problem I had was with the language, as I was not fluent in Croatian. I have a couple of unpleasant memories that still bring a smile to my face (laughs). Now I have no problems with Croatian either,” joked Mark Kerin, who was also the next guest on Young Hopes, answering 12 standard questions.

1. Where and when did you start training football?

My football career started at a very early age. I took my first steps on the pitch in kindergarten, as a member of the Nogobikci NŠ NK Krško. Then I started training at NK Krško at the age of six, where I made a lot of great memories. I trained there until I left for Lokomotiva Zagreb.

2. Who inspired you to take up football and who has influenced you the most in football?

I was inspired to play football by my father, with whom I attended and watched many football matches. He also helped me a lot with his football tips. The biggest influence on me is definitely my family, who have supported me through thick and thin and still do.

3. What do you like most about football?

What I like most about football is the glow of team spirit and the fact that it is a game that brings people together. It brings together players on the pitch who know that only through teamwork can they achieve their goals. I like the fact that there is no room for egoism on the football pitch, which I think is also a good sign for life. As well as the players on the pitch, football also brings the wider community together.

4. Your favourite football moment so far?

My best football moment so far is qualifying for the European Championships with the Slovenian Cadet Team. We were like one big family in qualifying. We’ve been together through thick and thin, and on top of that, we played three outstanding games and deservedly qualified for the EP.

5. Why do you think football is the best sport in the world?

Football is the best sport in the world because … when you put on the jersey, put on the cleats, put on the pads and step on the pitch, everything else disappears. The outside world stops and nothing else matters. Your life is simply perfect for the next 90 minutes.

6. Who are your football role models – local and foreign?

My football role model at home is Branko Ilić. He impressed me as a player, but now I admire him on the national team and listen to his advice with interest. My foreign role model is Sergio Ramos, who is a born leader. He is technically outstanding for a central defender, his football intelligence is at the highest level and I have been following him since he was a little boy. He is my favourite number 4.

7. Who is your biggest and toughest competitor and why?

My biggest and toughest rival is myself. I don’t look at others, but only at myself and my mistakes, which I try to correct both on and off the field. I want to be a better version of myself every day and learn something new every day.

8. What do you think is the most important quality of a successful football player?

I believe that a successful football player must first and foremost be disciplined. At first I thought motivation was the most important virtue, but it comes and goes. When motivation wanes, discipline comes to the fore, which is the key to daily progress.

9. What is the hardest thing for you on the road to achieving your football dream?

The most difficult things on the road to achieving the football dream are the injuries we cannot foresee and the various sacrifices we have to make.

10. How do you deal with disappointment after defeats?

Of course, I don’t like to lose. Every time I lose, I am in a bad mood for a whole day, but I realise that every defeat is a new lesson on the road to success.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I haven’t thought about a 10-year future yet. But I definitely want to be the best version of myself and be part of the top 11 in the top 5 European leagues.

12. Which of your teammates (current and past) are you sure will make it in football and why?

Sven Shunta, who is a master with the ball, has a great overview of the game and I could go on. I must also praise Lovro Golic, who is a “wall” in defence and I am happy to play with him and Relja Obrić in the so-called “stopper trio”.