[Football] How Can I Not Hate This Football?

A deranged product of Croatia getting eliminated. There isn't much logic to it; the main goal is to deliver a wildly satisfying read.

Argentine fans are not welcome!!!!!!

A striker drops out of the sky for Croatia and carries the team to dominate the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Kresimir Horvat, a young striker who had played just one season in the Croatian league, is called up to the World Cup squad.

This little team, originally written off by everyone, climbs step by step from the group stage to the very top. Croatia welcomes the greatest striker in its history and wins its very first World Cup trophy.

Kresimir: In Croatian, it means a great revival.

Horvat: Son of Croatia.

Hatred lasts longer than love, so hate it, then love it again. Such is football!

Horvat isn't just Croatia's Horvat, he's AC Milan's Horvat too. Croatia isn't the only one in need of a great revival; so is our AC Milan.

Milan Milan solo con te!

Milan Milan sempre per te!

Important warnings:

1. A product of my breakdown after my favorite team was eliminated!!

2. The groups will be mixed up rather than following the real-life draw, and the results of some matches will be changed too. After all, I have several favorite teams. Surely there's nothing wrong with letting them stay in the tournament for a few extra rounds out of personal bias, right?

3. My Rossoneri fan bias will be on full display. AC Milan in the present day will rise to the top once again, so apologies to the teams that win the Champions League after 2026, and apologies to the 2026 World Cup champions.

4. RedBird will sell Milan, which will be taken over by a wealthy owner who won't interfere with operations and will bring back club legends such as Maldini.

Theme: Croatia deserves the World Cup trophy.