Nikola Karabatić, a remarkable figure in handball, has consistently showcased excellence whether playing in offense or defense. For many years, he held the title of the world’s best handball player, securing his place among the all-time greats.

A pivotal leader of a legendary French handball generation, he boasts an impressive record: four European and world titles, three Olympic gold medals, and three Champions League victories.

The handball icon recently appeared on a new episode of the series (Un)success of the Champion, hosted this season by Slaven Bilić.

What contributed to Karabatić’s sustained success at the pinnacle of the sport?

“The aspiration I had since childhood – that drove me relentlessly. I always had to succeed. I held high expectations for myself, striving to be my best at all times. While it may sound arrogant to claim I wanted to be the best, it was an internal motivator that propelled me daily on the field and in training… That became my greatest pressure, which wasn’t easy to manage,” Karabatić explained.

Having recently retired, Bilić inquired about how Karabatić is adjusting to life without the immense responsibilities he was accustomed to.

“I feel great. For the first time, I’m living without the internal goal of being the best in handball. I no longer possess that motivation or sport; I’m learning daily to embrace a life free from pressure and the need to celebrate victories or titles. I cherish time with my family, and I have more opportunity to connect with my wife, children, and friends. Every day is a lesson in applying the knowledge and skills I gained from my sporting career to my new life, whether it’s with kids or in the media,” Karabatić emphasized.

Does he miss handball?

“It’s not that I don’t miss handball; rather, I don’t miss the competitive aspect. The mentality that demands you to excel, to give everything, to outshine your opponent, and to be superior to all other teams— I don’t miss that because it meant happiness was only tied to victories and medals.”

However, he remains active in the world of sports and handball:

“I’m still an ambassador for Paris Saint-Germain. Plus, my son plays handball, so I attend his games, watch handball on TV, and I have a contract with beIN Sports, a French network that broadcasts handball— essentially, I haven’t left handball. I also run an academy with my brother.”

From Niš to Paris: Always Embraced

Nikola was born in Niš, where his father Branko, a handball goalkeeper, signed with Mehanica. It was there that he met Nikola’s mother, Radmila. When Nikola was just three and a half years old, they moved to Paris as his mother completed her medical studies. What was his experience growing up in France?

“We’ve always been proud of our heritage from former Yugoslavia— Croatia and Serbia. At the same time, my father took pride in obtaining French citizenship; I never felt like an outsider. I’ve always identified as half French, half Yugoslav. This mindset helped broaden my perspective and fostered respect for all nations and peoples.”

Discipline from Father, Passion from Mother

Branko, Nikola’s father, not only served as a handball goalkeeper but also as a physical education teacher, coach, and invaluable life mentor.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better role model. From my dad, I learned discipline, and the importance of enjoying life. My mother ignited my passion— that inner drive I see in many athletes from the former Yugoslavia pushing toward greatness.”

Reflecting on critical life decisions, Nikola mentioned a conversation with his father that transformed his outlook on the game. After a subpar performance at 15, his father identified the underlying issue: fear. It was fear that stifled his performance.

“The fear of failing again held me back. If your ambition is to be the best in the world and compete for the national team, you can’t let a couple of losses derail you; otherwise, you won’t succeed. The pressure will become overwhelming. My dad posed a challenge: think it over and tell me tomorrow if you wish to continue… That was a pivotal moment, and I responded: No dad, I want to keep going.”

And he never experienced fear on the court again.

“Since that day, I’ve never been afraid on the field, even while playing in the first league at 16 and competing for the national team at 18.”

Nikola also reminisces about his fierce rivalry with Ivan Balić, which defined an era in handball and led to unforgettable matches between France and Croatia.

“Ivano is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats. He’s a legend, yet we never played on the same team. We were always adversaries. I recall the 2009 finals, where all the media anticipated the France-Croatia clash. I found an article attributing quotes to me about Ivan that I never said, fueling a rivalry that overshadowed my respect for him.”

He continued in a similar vein…

“The rivalry developed beyond our control. Naturally, as a player, I aspired to outshine Ivan; after all, that’s the essence of competition. I admired his play and Croatia’s remarkable team, but deep down, I understood that to be the best, we had to overcome them,” Karabatić concluded.

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