Croatia has always been blessed with amazing footballers.
In 2018 Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić led Croatia to their best-ever finish at a FIFA World Cup with a final appearance where they lost 4-2 to France.
The midfielder, that same year, was named the Ballon D’or winner and FIFA Best Player of the year, cementing his greatness as a part of the best football players from Croatia ever.
However, the 2022 World Qatar serves a platform for the best football players in Croatia to showcase their talents like Modrić did in 2018.
Now we have helped you identify the five best Croatian footballers in 2022.
1. Luka Modrić
- Position: Central midfielder
- Age: 37
How lucky is Croatia to have Luka Modric as its central midfielder and skipper and still have him available for one final World Cup at the age of 37?
The veteran is currently among the best midfielders in the world.
The whole team is going to be experienced with players well mature into their 30s, but while everyone is going to be important, none is going to be more important than Modrić, who is a midfielder good at winning the ball, has fantastic ball control, and a fantastic goal scorer.
All in one, the total package of a footballer, Luka Modrić seems to be a fine wine; four years ago, he looked to be having his final dance, the best of it, but four years on, at 37, he’s still out-dancing every midfielder around.
2. Ivan Perišić
- Position: Winger or wingback
- Age: 33
Perišić had a tournament just like the rest of his teammates in 2018. His was even more interesting and eventful.
After scoring in the group stage and semifinal, he scored his own goal to give France the advantage in the final while scoring at the right end later on, albeit it wasn’t enough.
The 33-year-old is still doing it at the very top with Spurs in the Premier League and will still lead his team at the World Cup for most probably his final World Cup.
His contributions have been frequent, scoring at the last Euros and also doing it three times in the qualifiers for the World Cup.
Ivan Perišić is a hardworking, skillful, and versatile player.
3. Marcelo Brozović
- Position: Central midfielder
- Age: 29
Marcelo Brozović allows Croatian head coach Zlatko Dalić to adopt a formation or deploy Luka Modric in any way of choice.
Brozović’s versatility will be extremely crucial at this tournament, especially as a playmaker. He can also function as a box-to-box midfielder whenever and wherever consistency has been a part of Brozovic’s play.
4. Mateo Kovačić
- Position: Central midfielder
- Age: 28
It must be considered a cheat code for a team to have the trio of Brozović, Modrić, and Kovačić in its midfield.
Kovačić is another midfield Generalissimo with experience, and with age on his side, he can still drive two more World Cups for Croatia as he did in 2018.
He’s played for the biggest teams in Europe, and from Real Madrid to Chelsea, he’s been a consistent feature.
Kovačić is an underrated footballer, however, he is still one of the best Croatian footballers right now.
5. Mario Pašalić
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- Age: 27
Pašalić comes into the FIFA World Cup with outstanding form last season, where he scored 13 goals for Atalanta last season in addition to six assists.
This season, he’s been slower, making two assists and a single goal in the Seria A. He gives the Croatian team many options with his ability to function in three different positions up front and even as an attacking midfielder.
Although many might not agree, but Mario Pašalić is undoubtedly one of the best football players in Croatia.
Other honourable mentions who are deservedly among the best footballers in Croatia include the likes of Dejan Lovren, Joško Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Nikola Vlašić, Josip Brekalo, and Ante Budimir.
Side note, Croatia had one of the best kits at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
