Random guy dupes Toronto FIFA World Cup fans who wanted photo with player
FIFA World Cup fever has officially taken over in Toronto to the point where fans are willing to do anything it takes to get close to the players, including taking selfies with complete strangers.
When Croatia's national team arrived in the city on Monday, fans lined Lower Simcoe St. to get a glimpse of soccer superstar Luka Modrić and the rest of the squad outside the Delta Toronto Hotel.
Although fans only had a brief view of Modrić getting off the team bus, a select group were treated to a picture with whom they thought was former national team striker and Hajduk Split captain Marko Livaja.
As it turns out, it was just a random Croatia supporter.
The supporter, David Kesten, posted a video to social media showing himself walking out of the Delta Hotel entrance past security, only to be immediately swarmed by fans holding out their phones for selfies.
Kesten said he wasn't trying to fool anyone, but once a few people asked for pictures, he played along for a bit.
He posed for photos with everyone who approached him — men in Lionel Messi jerseys, women, and even children. Kesten said the bit went on for around 25 photos before he called it quits and hilariously said "no more photos," like he was some international icon.
The clip was later shared on social media by popular Croatian fan page Volim Hrvatsku ("I Love Croatia"), which captioned the video: "Foreigners in Toronto convinced they see Marko Livaja."
There were also a few doubters in the comment section, calling these fans crazy and questioning which player, former or current, would casually walk around wearing the national team kit?
Apparently, this isn't the first time Kesten has been mistaken for a soccer star. His mother commented on the video, saying that people often tell him he resembles a professional soccer player.
Fans thought David Kosten (right) was former Croatia team striker Marko Livaja (left) outside the Delta Toronto Hotel on Monday. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Imagn Images | @volimhrvatsku/Instagram)
Born in Croatia and now living in Germany, Kesten travelled to Toronto to watch his national team and is among many fans hoping to see Croatia earn its first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama on Tuesday night.
Croatia enters the match looking to bounce back after a 4-2 loss to England in its Group L opener. Judging by the crowds that have already gathered downtown, the European soccer powerhouse should have plenty of support at Toronto Stadium.
According to the Canadian Croatian Chamber of Commerce, an estimated 120,000 people of Croatian descent live in the Greater Toronto Area, meaning Tuesday's match could feel a little like a home game.
@volimhrvatsku
