- Mark Viduka is one of the best footballers in Australian history
- He stood out in Croatia, Scotland and the English Premier League.
- ‘Dukes’ now runs a cafe with his wife in Zagreb, Croatia
Australian rules football legend Mark Viduka is bucking the trend when it comes to his chosen line of work following his impressive playing career, and he couldn’t be happier making coffee for a living.
Viduka, 49, is one of the country’s most decorated stars after a journey that saw him play for teams including Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, Scottish giants Celtic, as well as Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United in the Premier League.
The forward also has 43 caps for the Socceroos, including being named captain at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Australia lost to eventual champions Italy in the round of 16.
After hanging up his boots in 2009, the father of three eventually moved to Croatia and bought a cafe in Zagreb, where, he jokes, “my wife does all the work.”
To this day, Viduka prides himself on being a laid-back Australian happy to stay out of the spotlight.
“I wasn’t obsessed with fame at all. I didn’t like it. I still don’t do it. “I wasn’t obsessed with money, that was a byproduct,” he said in a 2021 interview with the Daily Mail.
Australian football legend Mark Viduka (pictured) is bucking the trend when it comes to post-retirement jobs, and couldn’t be happier at the cafe he owns with his wife.
Viduka, 49, is one of the country’s most decorated stars after a journey that saw him play for teams including Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, Scottish giants Celtic, as well as Leeds United (pictured), Middlesbrough and Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Viduka also captained the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, where they lost to eventual champions Italy.
You’ve seen what football is like, there are a lot of dishonest people who try to trick you. But I always tried to be true to myself.
‘Maybe that’s why there is this negative perception, because I didn’t settle. I was born and raised in Australia but my parents were Croatian.
“I have that Australian tolerance but I also have my Croatian side, I will stand firm if I believe in something.” It’s about being honest with yourself.
‘Many players flatter the fans, coaches, journalists and everyone loves them. But what kind of people are they when you take away all the nonsense? Are they good people or are they just playing?
Former Wimbledon champion and Croatian sports great Goran Ivanisevic is one of the regular customers at Viduka’s Non Plus Ultra cafe, which means No Higher Point.
After 269 goals in his professional career, the highlights are endless, but Viduka often remembers one game: November 2000, Leeds v Liverpool at Elland Road.
Viduka scored all four of the home team’s goals in a thrilling 4-3 draw and, more than two decades later, the team is still surprised by the result.
“I didn’t play that well. Some bad touches, bad hold-up play, that stays in the mind,” he recalled.
Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic is a regular at the Viduka cafe in Zagreb.
After Leeds, Viduka had spells at Middlesbrough (pictured) and Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
“That day I took four shots and scored four goals. How often does that happen?
‘Dukes’, who rose to fame as a teenager with the Melbourne Knights of Australia’s now-defunct National Soccer League (NSL), is also happily retired.
‘Everyone has their time. I’ve had mine. I’m fine with that. I enjoy the peace,’ he said.
“I’m happy to be anonymous now.”