Thomas Tuchel has faced sharp criticism for suggesting that the World Cup third-place match lacks significance.
Ahead of the fixture, the German manager claimed that players from both nations were unwilling to compete, stating that all involved would rather contest the final.
Although Tuchel later softened his stance and expressed a wish to finish the tournament positively, his initial remarks drew the ire of Croatian football legend Davor Suker.
Suker led his nation to a third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup, scoring the decisive goal in the playoff and claiming the Golden Boot ahead of Ronaldo.
Responding to Tuchel’s comments, Suker said that some wealthy, decorated figures treat the match as meaningless and advised them to remain silent and respect all 211 participating nations.
He emphasized that the football world belongs not only to major powers but also to medium and small nations that cherish the game.
England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham enter the match with a mathematical chance at the Golden Boot, sitting two goals behind Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe himself trails Lionel Messi’s tally of eight goals and four assists, with the final still to be played.
Suker insisted the third-place match carries lasting value, citing his own pride in Croatia’s 1998 victory over the Netherlands.
He argued that bronze medalists will remember the achievement decades later and declared that Tuchel’s dismissive comments are irrelevant and misguided.
