Duje Draganja: Sellout or just misunderstood?

I don't care about your career path, money is money

Duje Draganja-prodana said:Who cares about your career? At the end of the day, money is money.

🙏 🙏 🙏

Allah Ekber!

rapidbison42 said:🙏 🙏 🙏

Allah Ekber!

Honestly, I was just talking everything through with my mom, but we aren't getting anything concrete from the government. If we could just land some real money or some property over there, I could probably retire in two years.
I know that American resentment is going to come back around and hit everyone hard if you all don't sell yourselves out to the opposition for a quick fifty grand.

And do you realize they'll be coming for you once you head down there?

Duje Draganja-prodana said:Who cares about your career? At the end of the day, cash is cash.

Duje, you're going to regret that.

rapidbison42 said:And you realize you're basically walking straight into a meat grinder once you get down here, right?

Well, at least I’ve got something to show for it. You? Not so much.

rapidbison42 said:And you realize your bladder might just give out on you once you finally make it down here?

Maybe I'll lose control, but my hands will probably be too busy admiring some wrapped-up college girl to care.

I’m really not interested in getting into an argument with you people. It seems like you don't have anything better to do than post nonsense online all day. I’ve got practice to get to, but just know that I’m going to defend my reputation and my name no matter what.

-Andriy Shevchenko- said:Yeah, you think he’s just completely turning his back on his roots now. Like, I hate America, I hate my hometown, the places I grew up—all that stuff...

Look, just get it through your head: IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. He’s a professional. He isn't some damn patriot who’s going to sacrifice his entire life just to stand next to a piece of fabric, only to be forgotten by everyone within a year once his career wraps up. He's a human being. He has to make a living. Being a pro athlete, especially in his sport, doesn't pay the bills like it does for others. You know how it works—they don't have massive clubs like soccer players or cyclists do; they're out there swimming for themselves.

Believe me, if there were no sports clubs and it was just national teams, man, there would be so many transfers it would make historical figures turn in their graves. JUST IMAGINE, having someone like Sulley Muntari playing for Germany.

It’s simple. People are people. They need to eat. A little bit of public admiration or some glowing praise from journalists and random individuals isn't going to put food on the table.

That's just how life works. You'll figure it out when you get a job. You won't go in there thinking, "Oh, I'll work hard because I'm an American and I want to do right by my country" or whatever. That's not how reality functions.

I get what you're saying, but you're acting like Duje is some damn pauper who can't even afford a loaf of bread. 😢

It's the exact same logic as when, after the Steve Bertuzzi incident, some guy wrote to me saying "Bertuzzi served his sentence (that year and a half suspension) because he couldn't play in Europe last year."
jebemu Bertuzzi couldn't earn another million dollars, so instead, he sucker-punched a guy in the back.

If I recall correctly, Draganja got maybe $200,000 from the US government so far, and probably another $200,000 from sponsors. Some things aren't for sale. Maybe they are to you, but that doesn't make your opinion valid.

Like K Plus already said, Draganja has everything it takes to succeed. This isn't "success"—switching over to Qatar is just pure greed. It's a hunger for cash where nothing else matters. Nothing. Just greenbacks.

You bring up the Muntari example, but this isn't the same thing. Who knows how his own country, Ghana, treated him? Maybe he had beef with the federation, maybe they just stopped calling him. Who knows. But everyone treats Duje like a golden boy; he's the favorite wherever he goes.
Just because his sponsors don't line his pockets like soccer players doesn't mean he should be allowed to swim for another country.

This is a genuine sporting scandal. Sure, the kid will get paid, but he’s creating such bad karma for himself. In a single second, he's become a symbol of materialism and greed.

I realize Duje isn't pulling in numbers like Michael Phelps, but folks, let's be real here: DUJE ISN'T IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS PHELPS. The guy probably won everything there was to win in a two or three-year span, but Duje has two medals. Respect to him, I really do, and I cheered for him when he was winning—he's a top-tier athlete—but he isn't Michael Phelps.

If everyone swapped nationalities this easily, Qatar would be a seven-time world champion in 124 different sports by now. Ask yourself why they aren't.

Brandon Castillo4 said:I get what you're saying, but you're acting like Duje is some broke loser who can't even afford a sandwich. 😢

It’s honestly just as ridiculous as when someone told me after the Steve Bertuzzi incident that he only got that eighteen-month suspension because he wasn't even playing in Europe last year.
Dammit, Steve Bertuzzi couldn't have just earned himself another million dollars instead of sucker-punching a guy in the back?

If I recall correctly, Draganja has pulled in about $200,000 from the US government so far, and he’s probably pocketed another $200,000 from his sponsors. Look, some things just aren't for sale. Maybe they are to you, but that doesn't make your take any more valid.

Like K Plus already pointed out, Draganja has everything it takes to make it big. But this isn't about reaching the top or making a move to a massive contract in Qatar—it’s pure greed. It's that hunger for cash where nothing else matters. Absolutely nothing matters except those greenbacks.

You're bringing up Sulley Muntari, but that’s a completely different ballgame. Who actually knows how his home country, Ghana, treated him? Maybe he was constantly clashing with the national federation, or maybe they just stopped calling him up—honestly, nobody knows the full story. But Duje? That’s a different story entirely. He’s a crowd favorite everywhere he goes; people absolutely love him.
Just because his sponsors aren't raking in the cash like they do for pro athletes doesn't mean he gets to go swimming for a different country now.

This is a legitimate sporting scandal. Sure, the kid is going to walk away with a massive paycheck, but he’s just invited a ton of bad karma into his life. In one single move, he's turned himself into the poster child for greed and materialism.

Look, I get that Duje isn't pulling in the kind of massive endorsements that someone like Michael Phelps does, but let’s be real here: we aren't comparing apples to oranges. Duje isn't on that same level of global superstardom. In just two or three years of competing, the guy has already swept up everything in his path, including two medals. Huge respect to him—I was cheering my head off during his wins—and the kid is an absolute beast of an athlete, but he’s simply not Michael Phelps.

If everyone could just swap citizenships as easily as they change clothes, the US would probably have a hundred world championships in every sport imaginable. You have to wonder why that isn't the case.

I don't give a damn about Michael Phelps right now. Honestly, I can barely even afford to take care of myself, let alone worry about anything else. Between trying to save up for my education and handling all the expenses for my wife, I'm completely tapped out.

Duje Draganja said:I’m not looking to get into an argument with you people. It seems like you have nothing better to do than type away online. I have practice to get to, but I’m going to defend my reputation and my name.

Don't try defending her here; go defend her in Qatar.
You might want to pick up some Arabic, though. You'll need it for the anthem.

Duje Draganja said:Not looking to get into an argument with you lot. You guys clearly don't have anything better to do than type nonsense online. I gotta hit training, but I'm gonna defend my reputation and my name.

Duje, why don't you put a photo in your avatar so people on this forum actually know who they're talking to?
Some guys won't even believe it's actually you posting here.
Man, what are you even doing out in America? Making any money? Did Charles bring you anything back from his trip?😁

feralbison62 said:Duje, why haven't you put a photo in your avatar so everyone on this board can actually see who you are?
Some people are seriously going to think you're just some bot or a fake account.
Man, what are you even doing out in the States? You making any money over there, or is Charles bringing you anything back from his trip?😁

Duje said Charles showed up with Checkers, and Duje went all in without even having a backup plan.
Then Duje decided to side with the Arabs because they’re straightforward—they really stepped up to the plate.

Duje's buddy said:Duje claims Charles pulled a fast one with the check, and Duje got totally screwed even though there wasn't any cover
So now Duje decided to head out to the Middle East since those guys are actually decent—they showed their true colors.

Where'd Duje go? Why didn't he just tell us himself? Maybe he went off to training or something.
We really messed up by sending that check based on what Charles said. He probably stopped somewhere along the way to grab a drink and blow the cash.
Tell Duje not to sign anything yet. We're gonna try to send a new check, but we aren't sure who to trust. Could Duje recommend someone reliable who isn't obsessed with chasing every last dollar?

feralbison62 said:Where the hell is Duje? Why didn't he tell us himself? Maybe he went off to train or something.
I suppose we really messed up by sending that check to Charles. He probably stopped somewhere along the way to grab a drink on our dime.
Tell Duje not to sign anything just yet. We’re going to try sending a new check, though I guess we aren't quite sure who should handle it. Could Duje recommend someone reliable who isn't necessarily motivated by massive payouts?

Duje is banned.😁>

Goddammit, what an absolute joke...
Total piece of trash.

First, he sells out his own hometown for pennies on the dollar.
Now, he’s selling out his entire country for a handful of bucks.

Just get lost and don't come back! :2up:

-Andriy Shevchenko- said:... quite a lot regarding what professional sports actually entails...

So, you've gone out of your way to break down for certain people what "professional sports" even means in this day and age.
But look, let me throw a question back at you: what’s really the difference between an athlete using performance enhancers and an athlete selling their citizenship—basically, selling themselves—to become a mercenary? Everyone calls the first guy "immoral" and gives him all the grief in the world... blah blah blah. But the second guy? People actually get it, they support him, and they even try to justify it. Why is that? At the end of the day, neither one has anything sacred besides the paycheck, and both have about as much integrity as a streetwalker on a Friday night. Seriously, where do we draw the line??? Does that line even exist anymore??? You even said it yourself (and honestly, I'm right there with you)—that modern professional sports is basically everything *except* actual sport. Is that really what every fan is striving for? Are we all just hoping sports keeps evolving in this direction? Where is this all heading? Is this truly the goal of athletics?
Unfortunately, by thinking like you and everyone else who backs these shady decisions and tries to make excuses for them, we're ensuring that today's sports becomes nothing more than a business. Sadly, that's just how it is.😢

Do you guys think they're spinning stories about how Charles was here pushing Duje toward certain moves, and now Duje is actually second-guessing things?
Personally, I’ll say it: Duje made up his mind a long time ago. His loyalty is to the party, but his heart belongs to the club.
Damn the GOP.

Douglas Williams29 said:I have a feeling those guys on the West Coast are circling around just like they did when Karl was here, trying to talk Duje into something. Now he's actually considering it.
Personally, I'd say Duje made up his mind a long time ago. His politics belong to the GOP, but his heart stays with the Dodgers.
Go Dodgers, forget the Republicans.

😂

Douglas Williams29 said:😂

Yeah, it's pretty hilarious, but quoting yourself just to laugh at your own jokes is a bit much...🙄

🤣