Many have a special memory of the World Cup in Russia, and one of them is definitely Yuri Cortez, a likeable Salvadoran and photojournalist of Agence France-Press (AFP), who gained a piece of world fame and attention amidst celebrating Croatian footballers after Mario Mandžukić’s magnificent goal in the match against England that placed Croatia in the finals of the 2018 World Cup. As luck would have it, the Croatian national team is due to play its first game at the European Football Championship tomorrow, against England, which prompted Cortez to send a special video message of support to Croatia’s “Vatreni”!
“Hi dear friends from Croatia! I wanted to wish the Croatian National Football Team the best of luck at this year's EURO. Although I won't be there to take the amazing photos when you celebrate your goals against England in the match coming soon … But I know you will make me and all of your fans from around the world proud – Let’s Go Vatreni! We can do it – You have a lion’s heart – You can do it!”, said Cortez, also known as a great lover of Croatia.
Namely, we remind you that the Croatian National Tourist Board contacted Cortez after the World Cup in Russia and invited him to visit Croatia together with his family. Cortez accepted the invitation and on that occasion visited the Croatian coast, from north to south, capturing with his camera numerous natural, cultural and historical motifs, as well as the beauty of Croatia.
“Croatia is best recognized globally for tourism and sports. Numerous Croatian athletes have made an immeasurable contribution to the visibility of our country, which I am sure will play a significant role at the European Football Championship”, said the Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić, adding that the European Football Championship is a great opportunity for additional tourism promotion in Croatia in the world.
Let’s add that today, Yuri Cortez works in Venezuela as the head of the AFP bureau, the world’s third largest news agency. In his professional career, in addition to sports competitions, he also photographed natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and he went through and recorded battlefields around the world with his camera.
