From Oblivion To Glory And Back To Nursing At The Royal Society

Luka Sučić's Roller Coaster: From Oblivion to Glory and Back to Nursing at the Royal Society

The talented Croatian is experiencing a roller coaster of emotions and injuries at Anoeta, just when he seemed to have found his place.

Real Sociedad is living a dream 2026. The blue and white team is undefeated and the enthusiasm is palpable in every corner of Gipuzkoa. However, in the txuri urdin universe, not all stories have an immediate happy ending. Luka Sučić's is a clear example of this, a plot of ups and downs that defies logic and fortune.

When this season's winter market loomed on the horizon, most realistic fans took the departure of the Croatian midfielder for granted. The circumstances and lack of prominence under the orders of Sergio Francisco had relegated him to ostracism, a scenario difficult to reverse.

But then, Pellegrino Matarazzo appeared. The coach, perhaps guided by the advice of the board or by his own vision of the player's potential, decided to give him a new opportunity. He closed the doors upon his departure and began giving him minutes, betting on his recovery for the cause.

And the bet seemed to pay off. La Real has undergone a radical change in 2026, and Sučić has been one of the big beneficiaries. His performance has experienced a notable improvement, to the point of consolidating himself as a key player in the midfield, bordering on the status of undisputed starter.

His recent performances have been noteworthy. A crucial goal pass against Alavés that sealed the cup qualification. A start against Elche in Anoeta that culminated in a goal, the Croatian's first in the San Sebastian coliseum in more than a year, since that European match against Midtjylland.

Everything pointed to a definitive reconciliation, to the vindication of a footballer with undeniable talent. A promising future at Real seemed to be drawing before his eyes. But fortune, capricious like few others, had other plans.

In the play that scored his goal, when trying to finish a back pass from Guedes with his right leg, Sučić took a shot that was not entirely clean. It was at that precise moment, in that semi-final, where his left adductor said enough. A muscle tear, almost confirmed, forced him to leave the field of play in the 28th minute, with the stadium still celebrating his goal.

The player himself, aware of the seriousness of the injury, asked for a change almost immediately. The blow of reality was devastating, a splash of cold water for him and for the realistic environment that had once again become excited about his figure.

In the absence of definitive evidence, and although Matarazzo has not completely ruled out his presence in San Mamés, it is most likely that Sučić will miss the next cup match and several more games. An untimely muscle injury, which comes at the worst possible moment.

His absence adds to the absence of Brais Méndez, suspended for two games, and the injury to Ajdin Hrustic, leaving the team with fewer personnel in a crucial area of the field. La Real will have to look for alternative solutions to cover the gap left by the Croatian.

However, Matarazzo appears calm about the situation. “I'm happy to see Yangel (Herrera) today. We've seen (Ander) Guevara there, also (Martín) Zubimendi. (Mikel) Merino can also go down if (Orri) Óskarsson is ready to start. We have many options, we'll see according to the profile of the game,” declared the coach.

Luka Sučić's history at Real Sociedad is, so far, a chronicle of missed opportunities and unexpected setbacks. A roller coaster that, we hope, will soon return him to the path of glory and away from the infirmary.