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Sucic: “I fell in love with Real Sociedad in the Champions League; my future is txuri-urdin”

The Croatian midfielder opens up about his past, present and future at Anoeta, and the ambitious blue and white project.

The summer and the start of this season at Real Sociedad have been, to say the least, peculiar. For many, uncertainty about the continuity of key players or adaptation to new schemes is common. However, for Luka Sucic, the idea of leaving the San Sebastian club was never on the table. “No, I never thought about leaving Real Sociedad,” firmly states the midfielder, who joined the Basque team with the firm conviction of having found his place in the world of football. Despite calls from other clubs, Sucic remained firm in his decision, confident that his opportunity would come, just as it did at the hands of coach Matarazzo.

The figure of the president has been fundamental in this process. “And that has been very important for me. It's very good, it means a lot,” confesses Sucic, who recognizes the difficulty of maintaining motivation when minutes on the field are scarce. The support and words of encouragement from the club's top leader have been a balm, especially for a young player who needs to feel the trust of the entity. “I see that the club believes in me,” he adds, underlining the importance of this unconditional support.

Real Sociedad's midfield is a veritable hotbed of talent and competition. Given this panorama, Sucic does not hesitate to praise his teammates. The emergence of Beñat Turrientes has been one of the focuses of attention. “When he came, even though it was his first season in the first team, you already saw his potential. He is a great footballer and a much better person, which is difficult. He is going to be better, he is still young. We have a great footballer,” he says of the youth player.

Turrientes, for its part, has experienced exponential growth under Matarazzo. “I already knew him well. He is a great footballer and he is showing his qualities. His performance is no surprise, I have been with him for two years. I already knew what he was capable of,” says Sucic, who already sensed the young midfielder's potential.

Another proper name is Carlos Soler. The Valencian has been resurrected in Donostia, recovering his best version and being called up by the Spanish team again. “Carlos is very important for the team. He is doing very well. He has a lot of quality. We have a great midfield. We need him to continue like this, to improve,” highlights Sucic, aware of Soler's importance in the blue and white scheme.

The competition in the midfield is fierce, and a clear example of this is the relationship between Sucic and Brais Méndez. “We are very good friends. Only one can play. We all want to play always but it is not possible. We play in the same position and the level is high. The coach always decides and we are both prepared. We are happy with it,” explains the Croatian, who values the camaraderie despite the sporting rivalry.

Luka Sucic's journey to Anoeta has deep roots. Born in Austria to Croatian parents who emigrated fleeing the war, his first steps in football were taken in a small Austrian town. “My father saw that I had something special because I always played soccer,” he remembers. After passing through several clubs, his talent caught the attention of Red Bull Salzburg, one of the most prestigious academies in the world. “It was a special time for me. I separated from my family but the academy is brutal. You have everything you need. There you can develop perfectly. It was great for me,” he says.

The difference in level between Austrian and Spanish football is abysmal. “It is not comparable. LaLiga is one of the best in the world,” says Sucic, who recognizes that Salzburg, despite its history, is not going through its best moment. The Austrian league, although interesting, cannot compete with the elite of Spanish football.

The confrontation against Real Sociedad in the Champions League in 2023 was a turning point. “It was almost everything. When we played against them I said: 'Wow, what a team'. We played, for example, against Bayern and no one killed us like Real Sociedad. I said I wanted to play there. For my style above all,” he confesses. The football proposal of the Txuri-Urdin team captivated Sucic, and when the opportunity arose, he did not hesitate to say yes.

The choice to represent Croatia was a sentimental and grateful decision. “Croatia came when I was 15 and Austria when I was 21. When they saw that I was good. There was no option. I wanted to play with Croatia. They believed in me when I was little. Easy decision,” he explains. The feeling of belonging and the support received from a young age tipped the balance.

The return to the Croatian team is a reason for joy. “It's always nice to come back and see my friends,” he says. The dream of playing in a World Cup came true in Qatar, where Croatia obtained a creditable third place. “I hope to be in the second. We all want to go. I will do everything possible,” he says with ambition.

With five years of contract signed and two already completed, Sucic seems happy at Real Sociedad. “I have three more years on my contract. I am very happy at Real and I want to continue here. We have a very good team and we can do great things,” he declares, ruling out for the moment making the leap to a big European team. The blue and white project excites him and he trusts in being able to reach great heights.

Regarding possible misunderstandings in the past, Sucic settles the controversy: “It was not a mistake. My English is not perfect and I said something that was misunderstood, but I never said what was written. I did not mean that. I already clarified it in the last interview. I have nothing more to say.” The player seeks to turn the page and focus on the present.

The fans, for their part, seem to have regained affection for the player. “I think so. I finally said what I wanted to say. People know that I want to fight for this team. I want to play well,” he says. The message to the fans is clear: “They simply already know that we need them, that they are incredible. We hope to have their support in every game and give them the best.”

And faced with the possibility of winning the final, Sucic is casual: “Not shaving myself. I promise I'll drink for 3 days. This is something special. I think I'll get drunk.” A promise that, without a doubt, will delight fans.

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