A tale featuring a handball icon, part two.

In the previous episode of (Un)Success of the Champion, Nikola Karabatić shared insights about his ascent to excellence, his dual identity as a Yugoslav and Frenchman, and whether he feels nostalgic about handball…

As he continued his discussion with Slaven Bilić, he spoke about his brother, Luka Karabatic, offered advice to aspiring athletes, and reflected on one of the most intense rivalries in handball between himself and Ivan Balić.

Regarding his brother Luka, who is also a talented handball player, Nikola underscored their close relationship, pointing out that there was never any competition between them—instead, their aim was to achieve success together.

Before transitioning to professional handball, Luka trained as a tennis player, which led Nikola to envision a different path for his brother.

“At 13 or 14, he was the top player in France. I fantasized about seeing him at Roland Garros, Wimbledon. We were huge fans of tennis, especially of Goran Ivanišević winning Wimbledon. Then, at 19, he returned to handball, and we forged a new dream—playing together someday. That was amazing. There was never competition; every victory he had in tennis felt like a win for me too. The bond we formed while playing together was extraordinary,” Karabatić highlighted.

Discipline leads to improvement.

An inevitable topic is always Ivano Balić, the Croatian maestro who influenced a generation of handball, and Bilić asked Karabatic if he considered himself Wagner.

“With Ivan, everything appeared effortless, almost inspired. His gameplay resembled basketball. He would score goals in ways that left you wondering. Watching him felt similar to observing Roger Federer—everything seemed simple and fluid. There’s a bit of Lionel Messi in that too. I align more with Novak Djokovic and Cristiano Ronaldo, though; it’s about hard work, discipline, and the daily drive to learn something new, to improve, and to push past both mental and physical boundaries. In that sense, I relate more to Djokovic. You can see his daily commitment striving to be the best,” the legendary handball player expressed.

On his growth from a young player scoring goals to becoming a player who elevates his teammates…

“It’s a wonderful experience, as sport teaches you valuable lessons… One moment, you’re a world champion; the next, you’re losing in the Cup to a lower league team. Sport illustrates that this is life: one day you’re at the top, the next you’re at the bottom—it’s vital to keep evolving and adapting to new circumstances.”

Until I was 37, I believed I was invincible, then I faced a major setback.

He shared a significant life lesson he learned from an injury sustained at 37.

“Injuries can be a blow to your ego. Before 37, I had never encountered a serious injury. I thought I was invincible, that I could complete my career unscathed,” Karabatic reminisced.

And then came the turning point…

“Returning from a hiatus due to Covid, I had never felt better—until I tore my cruciate ligament. Then, just two weeks post-surgery, I developed thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism. This experience humbled me; it made me realize how fragile life can be, and I gained a fresh perspective. I returned with renewed energy and positivity, grateful for the chance to continue playing handball. This shift in mindset became my motivation—either you learn from the challenging moments that bring you down and make you stronger (not only as a player, but as a person), or you miss those lessons, and they will likely repeat throughout your life and career.”

Setbacks? Champions League with PSG and the 2024 Olympics.

He also reflected on his sporting disappointments, highlighting the absence of a Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, along with the loss to Germany at the 2024 Olympics marking an end to his illustrious career.

“To lose in the quarterfinals—that hurt—leading by two points with just 15 seconds left. As a child, I aspired to be a national team player and aimed to be the best in the world. In retrospect, considering my achievements, I recognize there’s no reason to complain. Yet, concluding my career with such a loss in front of a home crowd of 28,000 friends and family was tough; however, the beautiful moments I’ve experienced overshadow that disappointment.”

Karabatić’s perspective on the status of handball in the sports world.

“In France, handball was overlooked, yet that was my driving force—to elevate the sport and inspire others to appreciate it through our victories and performances. It’s been my mission, and that fueled my determination further. Of course, I wish for handball to gain recognition, but I also value its unique position; it’s not the biggest sport, and that’s part of its charm. Handball isn’t a business—it is fundamentally a sport. While one can make a living, it doesn’t lead to enormous wealth, but it teaches invaluable life lessons and cultivates integrity.”

He delivered an empowering message for children and their parents.

“Engaging in sports is crucial; I believe it’s a cornerstone of life’s education… Sports foster both mental and physical growth. Achieving greatness as an athlete is commendable, but the importance lies in participating—children should explore various sports to discover their passions, learn discipline, and above all, find joy,” concluded Karabatić.

Don’t forget to catch the first part of the series at the link below.

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