According to a fan theory, Inter Milan is likely to win because they have a Croatian player in their squad.
According to a fan theory, Inter Milan is likely to win the Champions League final this year because the team has a Croatian player in its squad, reported media outlet Sports Bible. The fan theory suggests that since 2013, every Champions League winning team has featured a Croatian player in the final.
The weird coincidence began in 2013, when Croatian player Mario Mandzukic helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund.
Here’s the list of Croatian players in CL finals since 2013, as curated by Sports Bible.
2013 – Mario Mandzukic [Bayern Munich]
2014 – Luka Modric [Real Madrid]
2015 – Ivan Rakitic [Barcelona]
2016 – Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic [Real Madrid]
2017 – Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic [Real Madrid], Mario Mandzukic [Juventus]
2018 – Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic [Real Madrid], Dejan Lovren [Liverpool]
2019 – Dejan Lovren [Liverpool]
2020 – Ivan Perisic [Bayern Munich]
2021 – Mateo Kovacic [Chelsea]
2022 – Luka Modric [Real Madrid]
On June 10, when Inter Milan will take on Manchester City, the team will feature Croatian Marcelo Brozovic. However, despite the coincidence, Manchester City is clearly the favourite to lift its first Champions League trophy this season.
After all, the team whooped reigning champion Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium, while also picking up a draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Reacting to the theory, one user on Twitter wrote, "You gotta twist it," whereas another user wrote, "man that’s enough for me to keep the faith." A third user commented, "The Croatian luck is our only hope now. Save us MARCELO BROZOVIC!!!"
For the record, Manchester City has never won a Champions League since the club’s birth, whereas Inter Milan has reached its first Champions League final since 2010. In the competition’s history, Inter Milan has won the trophy on three occasions.
