How many active athletes are thinking of going for an Olympic gold medal as they celebrate their 40th birthday? What is certain is that they are rare. Even LeBron James is only 39 years old, he will celebrate his 40th birthday in December. Nikola Karabatic celebrates his 40th birthday this April 11. To honor his extraordinary career and while he will retire from the stage in a few months, perhaps on the evening of a new Olympic final, we have chosen, to celebrate his four decades of existence, to remember 10 numbers, 10 images, 10 of his sentences and 10 tributes from those around him. Because it’s those close to him who talk about it best.
“Nikola is a Terminator, everyone’s big brother”
Philippe Bana, its president at the French federation. Former DTN of the federation for more than 20 years before becoming its president, Philippe Bana supported the entire international career of the new-forty-year-old.
“I’m not amazed by him, I’m admiring”
Luka Karabatic, his younger brother and partner since January 17, 2015. Former tennis champion, Luka Karabatic made a name for himself by emerging from the shadow of his elder. The two brothers won everything together. They only miss one thing: the Champions League.
Nikola and Luka Karabatic. Icon Sport 2024 Icon Sport
“Niko is not comparable to anyone, I lack words to describe him”
Guillaume Gille, his coach for the French team. The two men played together for a long time in the French team, notably winning two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012. Since 2020, the former partner has been his coach with the Blues
“His longevity and performance make him the best player of all time.”
Didier Dinart, the former coach of the Blues. They too won together on the pitch with the Blues. The former pivot remains one of the rare players to have more caps than him. Between 2016 and 2020, the current coach of Ivry was also the French coach allowing Karabatic to win the world title in 2017.
“With his aura, I don’t see who will take over from him. »
Philippe Gardent, 1995 world champion. Barjot world champion in 1996, the current coach of Aix-en-Provence has never coached Nikola Karabatic. He left PSG in 2015 a few weeks before his arrival but it was against Aix, one of his former clubs at the Accor Arena, that Karabatic would play his last club match.
“He has taken our sport to another dimension, he is a source of inspiration”
Valentin Porte, his friend and captain of Montpellier. The two Olympic champions in Tokyo won everything together as a French team: the world and European title in addition to the Olympic gold medal. Above all, they are great friends in life.
Nikola Karabatic et Valentin Porte. Anthony Dibon/Icon Sport) 2022 Icon Sport
“He is a monument, the greatest competitor I have ever had to train”
Patrice Canayer, his former coach in Montpellier. Their destiny is linked: the Montpellier coach will also retire at the end of this season. Their relationship was tarnished by the rigged bets affair in 2012 but the most successful coach in France maintains respect for his former player.
“It is important for our sport”
Raul Gonzalez his coach at PSG since 2018. The Spaniard has been training Nikola Karabatic in Paris every day for almost 6 years. A master tactician, he is a man of few words. Their relationship is full of mutual respect
Ms. Karabatic in the center during the last Euro in Cologne. Laurent Lairys/Icon Sport 2024 Icon Sport
“Every morning, I don’t look at myself in the mirror and say to myself: I am the mother of the best player in the world”
Radmila Karabatic, his mother. Nikola Karabatic has always remained very close to his family. His father Branko died in 2011 but his mother never misses any of his exploits. She was in Cologne with her partner and children for the Euro final last January.
VIDEO. Karabatic: “Two difficult moments in my life: the death of my dad and the betting affair”
“Nikola is a true icon of world handball”
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, his president at PSG. Since 2015 and for a few more weeks, Nikola Karabatic has been a PSG player, one of the club’s global stars, all sections combined.
