ORLANDO, Fla. — Growing up in Germany, Marco Pašalić was taught from a young age that hard work breeds success.
Throughout his 24 years of life, it's a lesson he's kept with him throughout his journey, both in and out of soccer.
As the son of Croatians who fled the war in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Pašalić has grown up with a very unique perspective on life. His parents, immigrating to a new country to find a better life, had to work hard to provide for Marco. It's that mentality that has now become a constant motivator in his everyday life.
"It's the mentality that you have to put in the hard work. Everyone in Germany is like this," Pašalić told OrlandoCitySC.com. "It's hard work, every day. Concentration, discipline. I'm hard-working. I know that nobody is going to give you a gift, you know? It's up to you. You have to work hard to get success."
From the earliest days of the German-born Croatian's career, that mentality was put to the test. After grinding with academies in the lower divisions of German soccer and also working in construction when he was 18, the winger continued to put his nose to the grindstone and out-worked everyone around him. He got better, faster, stronger, and eventually, other teams started to take notice.
As he continued to find success, the injury bug also found him. Just as a milestone opportunity, playing in UEFA Champions League, was on the horizon when Pašalić was with Borussia Dortmund, an ankle injury knocked him out of contention and out for a long period of time. It was at this moment that the mentality his parents helped instill in him came into play the most.
"For my head, it was really difficult," he said. "But I came back, and then I took that year with Dortmund's second team and my last year of my contract this a chance to get back in shape. Some people don't get back from these injuries, but wanted to make sure I got back."
After a bump in the road, things started looking up as soon as he got to his next club, Rijeka.
Despite growing up in Germany, Pašalić is Croatian through and through. He loves his homeland, the food, the culture, and of course, the national team. So when the opportunity came to go play in Croatia professionally, it almost seemed like fate.
"Rijeka was like a dream," he said. "I went there, I got off to a very good start, scored a lot of goals in the first games and played in the UEFA Conference League. It was like my dream came true. I'm grateful that I grew up in Germany, to get my education and everything, but in my heart, I'm full Croatian. I live for my country. I love my country, and I'm thankful that I'm from Croatia."
With that early success with Rijeka, it suddenly vaulted him into the spotlight in his home country. Suddenly, the Croatian National Team was knocking on his door, calling him up for European Qualifiers. That moment in November of 2023, when he donned the Croatian colors and subbed in for his national team against Latvia, was remarkable for Pašalić.
"It was the best feeling in my life," he reminisced. "Mabye my wife geting pregnant or something would be first eventually, but that feeling was incredible. It's been my dream since I was a little boy, playing for them. Then I play with Luka Modric. After so many difficult years, injuries, playing in the fifth league, people saying that I couldn't do it. For me, I knew I would achieve it. Then this moment came, and I really enjoyed it. This moment will stay forever in my heart and in my head because I love my country, I live for my country, and it's everything to me."
Now, Pašalić looks to take another big step in his still young career: Major League Soccer. After touching down in America for the first time in his life just a few weeks ago, he's hit the ground running with his new team. He's played a number of preseason matches, including one last weekend against Inter Miami CF in Tampa, Florida, and has gotten to know his teammates both on and off the pitch.
"I think getting the chance to see a new league, to make the next step in my career, for me, it's a better step to come here than to stay in Croatia. That's my opinion," he said. "I like it here a lot so far. It's an honor when a club really wants you, and I wanted to come here, also. My decision didn't take long, either. Maybe one day before I said yes. Now, I want to bring this league to another level, to bring this club joy and play good games."
Pašalić will now look to bring that hard-working mentality of his into his new team this weekend, as the Lions open their 2025 season on Saturday, February 22 against the Philadelphia Union. Tickets are still available here.
