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Croatia's Kalinic turns down World Cup medal after being sent home

Related Topics: Medal, Croatia, Nigeria

Nikola Kalinic has admitted he does not deserve his World Cup runners-up medal, having been sent home from the tournament after Croatia's opening game.

The Milan striker refused to come on as a substitute in Croatia's 2-0 win over Nigeria, citing fitness issues, but was then kicked out of the squad by head coach Zlatko Dalic.

Kalinic had also missed out on the pre-tournament warm-up game with Brazil and was forced to sit out training due to back spasms. Dalic decided to send him home following the Nigeria victory, claiming that he needed players who were "fit and ready to play.