Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31784/zvr.13.1.21
Sources of motivation and salaries of professional footballers: the case of the first croatian football league
Ivana Načinović Braje
orcid.org/0000-0003-4062-5251
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Alen Milanović
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Salaries of professional football players have recently become a matter of great public interest. The paper analyses the sources of motivation, existing and preferred ways of rewarding professional players, as well as their consequences on player performance and interpersonal relationships within teams. As part of the work, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four professional football players in the first Croatian football league about their experiences with salaries. Research findings indicate the existence of differences in the payment methods of football players, depending upon clubs’ financial situation. Players perceive variable rewards very positively and point to the importance of team bonuses for strengthening team cohesion. Football clubs must carefully balance individual and group bonuses to ensure optimal results on the pitch.
Keywords
professional football players; motivation; salary; bonuses
Hrčak ID:
331601
URI
Publication date:
20.6.2025.
Visits: 420 *