Ante Rebić keeps childhood promise: pays off villagers’ debts and builds kindergarten in Donji Vinjani

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Ante Rebić, the Croatian footballer known for his fierce style on the pitch, has shown a different kind of strength off it—compassion, loyalty, and purpose. The 30-year-old forward has fulfilled a promise he made as a child by paying off the debts of 500 people in his hometown of Donji Vinjani and launching a project to build a kindergarten, with special provisions for children with autism.

The small village in southern Croatia, scarred by the Yugoslav Wars, has long carried the burdens of poverty and forgotten promises. Rebić, who grew up in this environment, vowed to give back if he ever made it as a professional footballer. That promise is now a reality.

After recently parting ways with Lecce, Rebić used a significant portion of his personal wealth to clear the outstanding debts and loans of every household in the village. This act of direct economic relief has made an immediate impact on the lives of hundreds of people.

But the gesture didn’t stop there. With remaining funds from his initial budget, Rebić chose to finance the construction of a new kindergarten, which will also include facilities for children with autism spectrum disorders. The facility, currently under development, is set to offer not just early childhood education, but also therapeutic support and inclusion, making it a transformative project for the entire region.

“This is not charity—it’s a commitment,” said a local official, praising Rebić’s deep connection to his roots.

Despite an international career that has taken him from Croatia to Italy, Germany, and beyond, Rebić has never forgotten where he came from. His latest act of solidarity is being hailed across Croatia as a rare example of a footballer turning success into meaningful, local change.