Viral World Cup fan Ivana Knoll was keen to bang the drum in support of Erling Haaland, who is in a league of his own on and off the pitch.
The Croatian influencer has built up an army of followers herself across appearances from the stands at football’s major tournaments.
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Knoll first shot to social media fame after being snapped dressed in the iconic red and white checks of her country at the 2018 World Cup.
After further boosting her profile in Qatar, the 33-year-old is now juggling her influencer commitments with her budding DJ career.
Now known on stage as ‘KnollDoll’, she performed at the FIFA Fan Festival in Los Angeles before England beat her beloved Croatia.
However, Knoll was able to take in the performance by Zlatko Dalić’s men in their 1-0 win over Panama before joining eSPORTY Breakfast.
“I’m amazing,” she told Andy Goldstein and Gabby Agbonlahor. “I just came from my set, so I was at the game, and then I played a show here, and I just arrived at my hotel to meet you guys.
“It’s my second game. I came only for Croatia games because now I’m on my DJ tour, my first big US tour.
“So I didn’t have time to visit other games, but I’m visiting Croatia games, and this is my fourth World Cup.”
She added: “It’s my routine already. Four World Cups in 16 years. In Brazil, I was very, very young.
“In Russia it was special because we [reached] the final, and I was already going viral in the first game.
“Then in Qatar, I really exploded worldwide, which I never expected. And now it’s here in the country where I live, so I moved to Miami four years ago. It’s amazing.”
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How far can Croatia go?
‘Vatreni’ have reached the semi-finals of the last two World Cups, but sit third in Group L after England’s goalless draw with Ghana.
Asked how far her country can go this time around, Knoll replied: “We haven’t shown much until now at this World Cup.
“We didn’t show much, I agree with that, but we can surprise, you know, with us…It’s always tough, penalties.
“You know how we go, so everything can happen with us.”
During Croatia’s Golden Generation, Knoll has amassed over three million followers on Instagram alone thanks to her viral fan presence.
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However, she admitted that she is still playing second fiddle to the love shown to the captain and best player, Luka Modric.
Is she more famous than Luka Modric?
“I think it’s Luka, of course, but many people who didn’t know about Croatia support Croatia because of me, which is the biggest compliment I can ever get, so I’m happy for that.”
It’s not just Croatia’s stars that Knoll has come across, with many of the World Cup’s biggest players also posing alongside her for photos.
Haaland ‘only player I really like as a person’
One of those includes Manchester City talisman Haaland, who linked up with ‘Miss Croatia’ in Ibiza after winning the treble in 2023.
Asked who she enjoys watching at the World Cup, Knoll answered: “Honestly, personally, who I met and I think is the only player who I really like as a person is Haaland.
“We have a photo together, and I’m small next to him, and I’m 180.”
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“I know a couple of players as friends, you know?” Knoll continued.
“I know Vinicius [Junior], I know I met Haaland, I know Rafael Leão. They’re all nice guys, you know?
“So I cannot say anything, but my most impression was with Haaland and his friends. So I think they are very nice people.”
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