From the 20th of November until the 18th of December, everyone watched football. Whenever Croatia played some workplaces took a break, or watched the game in the office. Everything stopped and you could feel the tension and excitement in the air. After every game football lovers gathered in the streets and celebrated. Indeed, 2022 is not the only year that Croatia has been in the top three places in the World Cup. In 2018 we came in second, and in 1998 we celebrated with a bronze medal. So it is not surprising that we have a special center for showcasing our rich Croatian football history and success - Multimedia Center Be Proud. 

Center we are proud of

Photo credit: Drago Sopta/HNS

The Multimedia Center Be Proud opened in 2015 with one goal- to motivate and educate younger generations about Croatian football history. This small museum is located on the main square. You can often hear the phrase “Be Proud” when Croatians talk about football, and that is where the name comes from. The Center showscases all the accomplishments Croatia is so proud of. It is a thank you note to the many who have contributed to Croatian football, and an opportunity to create a desire to write new successes to come. The museum was opened by the Croatian Football Federation, and admission is free. The purpose of the museum is to appreciate all the past achievements, and to motivate younger generations to join the football world. Center Be Proud is a unique and unusual museum worth visiting. You won't regret it and the football-themed museum is a “cherry on top” when wanting to get a real feel of Croatia. 

Feels like you are on a real football pitch

Photo credit: Drago Sopta/HNS

The most fun thing about the center is that it replicates a stadium. Locker rooms showcase illustrations and artifacts from Croatian football history. You can explore the greatest names in Croatian history- from older generations like Zvonimir Boban to Luka Modrić, the winner of The Golden Ball award. If you ask foreigners what they know about Croatia, very often they say two things- beautiful sea and Luka Modrić. So football is part of our identity.

The exciting part of the Center is the Wall of Fame. As you probably guessed, it holds the greatest names in Croatian history. Names that left a mark in history and shaped today's football. Also, as the games are being played on the field, the center plays the best matches on their field, creating that real life football feeling. Interactive screens allow you to explore even deeper- you can experience the best matches and goals all over again, as if they are being played in the moment. 

Part of the museum that is very interesting to me, is women's football and futsal. Trophies and awards are displayed and you can learn about the achievements that women had in Croatian football history. Especially now that women's football is gaining more popularity, I can't wait to see the rise in women's football. You never know, maybe the entire nation will be passionately waiting for another game in women's football.

Unique and unusual - worth visiting

Photo credit: Drago Sopta/HNS

Multimedia Center Be Proud is located on the corner of Jurišićeva and Petrinjska street, near the main square. You can visit it from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 - 20:00. So, while you are casually admiring the capital's main square, and enjoying the local food, dive into Croatian football history.  

If you want to buy a souvenir, the Croatian National Federation web store has our recognized white-red football jerseys and shirts, a must-have item for real football fans.

All in all, I enjoyed the whole concept of the museum. Something new, fresh, and interesting enough, whether you are a football fan or not. When exploring a foreign country it is important to visit places that represent the local culture, in order to get a real understanding or the nation. From restaurants serving local food, and local gigs, to unusual museums that are important for the culture. Visiting the museum is one step to getting the real feel of Croatia. 

Header photo credit: Fotografije Zagreba

Author: Monika Jugović