Manchester United target Ivan Perisic suffers defeat in international beach volleyball debut for Croatia

• e-mail

There are plenty of sportspeople who compete across a number of disciplines - Ian Botham in football and cricket, Michael Jordan in baseball and basketball, and most recently Paolo Maldini in football and tennis.

To this list can be added Ivan Perisic, who has gone a step further by representing his country at two different sports.

Inter Milan and Croatia midfielder Perisic made his international beach volleyball debut on Thursday for Croatia, against a Brazilian paring who took part in last summer's Olympics.

Croatia midfielder Ivan Perisic has made his international beach volleyball debut

Manchester United target Perisic played against a Brazilian pair who took part in the Olympics

Perisic joins the ranks of sportspeople who have competed across more than one discipline

Perisic and partner Niksa Dell'Orco took part in the Porec Major event, where despite a valiant display they were easily beaten by Alvaro De Morais Filho and Saymon Barbosa Santos in straight sets, 21-10, 21-10.

It was Perisic - subject of interest from Manchester United who are said to have prepared a £44m bid - who won the first Croatian point to make it 4-1 in the first set with a defensive spike. 

However the Brazilians, who represented their country in their home games at Rio last summer, eventually had far too much. 

It ended in disappointment for Perisic with defeat in both games on Thursday

Despite the losses Perisic was positive, saying 'it felt amazing' to represent his country

There was also a second defeat for Perisic on Thursday in their second pool game against an American team, but he said he was pleased with his debut tournament.

He said: 'This was always my dream. I have been playing beach volleyball since I was 10. I'm very passionate about this game and every summer I have been practising with my friend in Split.

'I'd like to thank everyone who has given me the opportunity to play with the best beach volleyball players in the world. It felt amazing – even though I lost.'

The Croatians have a final chance to try and salvage a win when they play a second USA pairing on Friday.

Perisic is wanted by United, who are said to have prepared a £44m bid to Inter for his services