The King Returns, But The Clock Is Ticking

Ante Rebić Ante Rebić is back, and he is still the man of the hour. After a twelve-year exile abroad, the 32-year-old striker returned to the HNL last summer, signing for Hajduk Split on August 1st. The roar at Poljud Stadium was deafening. The euphoria was real. But glory? Not quite. Hajduk fell short of the title, settling for second place behind Dinamo. Yet, Rebić’s individual brilliance was undeniable. He battled through early fitness struggles, found his rhythm, and earned a spot in the league’s ideal team, voted by coaches, captains, and fans alike.

A Joke That Stung

Last Monday night in Zagreb, the atmosphere was electric during the league awards ceremony. Rebić, known for his brevity off the pitch, took the stage. Host Marko Šapit asked the million-dollar question: Will he stay in the HNL after this comeback season? Rebić grinned, delivered the line, and watched the crowd erupt. "Second place, livo!" he quipped, referencing his team’s final standing. It was a joke, but in Split, jokes about finishing second are never just jokes.

The camera panned to the audience. There sat Hajduk president Ivan Bilić Ivan Bilić, sitting next to board member Marinka Akrap. The smile on his face? Sour. Skeptical. The tension was palpable.

Contract Talks: Money, Ego, and Reality

Rebić’s contract expires at the end of June. Hajduk initially offered two years. Rebić wanted one, wanting to prove he still had it. He agreed to a salary of €450,000, the maximum former sporting director Goran Vučević could offer to save the club’s finances. Now, negotiations are ongoing. Can Hajduk match that figure? With star Darío Melnjak Darío Melnjak recently accepting a 70% pay cut, the club’s financial reality is stark. Rebić is a legend, but legends have a price. Will Bilić pay it? Or will the "livo" comment haunt the negotiations?