Ivan Rakitic revealed he was suffering with a fever in the days leading up to Croatia's 2-1 semi-final win over England at the World Cup.
The Barcelona midfielder was key alongside Luka Modric as the first-time finalists came from behind at half-time to win, thanks to an extra-time goal from Mario Mandzukic.
Losing the 30-year-old would have been a big blow for Zlatko Dalic's Croatia, but the former Sevilla and Schalke player said he would have done everything possible to play.
"Last night I had a fever, almost 39 [degrees]," he said.
"I was lying in bed finding the strength to play and it was worth it. I would play a final without a leg if necessary."
"They thought they were already in the final, with all the things uploaded on [social] networks," he said.
"They can keep doing their stuff and we will play on Sunday."
Croatia take on France in Sunday's World Cup final in a rematch of the 1998 semi, in which Les Bleus triumphed 2-1.
