Sport
Who are the best Croatian football players ever?
As Balkan states emerged from the Yugoslavia breakup in 1992, few would know how those nations would fare insport. Croatian football players have fared the best of their Eastern Bloc rivals. Croatia have been constant contenders since debuting in 1998 often reaching the latter stages and even appearing in the 2018 World Cup Final where they were beaten by France.
This, coupled with their third place in 1998, has seen Croatia become a dominant force on the global scene. With success always within reach, just which players have shone on the grandest stage in recent tournaments? Here’s our XI of the best Croatian footballer players ever to compete in a World Cup.
Best Croatian World Cup football players ever
GK: Stipe Pletikosa
At 6ft 4, Stipe Pletikosa towered in the net and was a key reason for much of Croatia’s success in the 2000s. With excellent reactions for his size, he could easily cover the net quickly making key saves time and time again.
His best form arguably came in 2002 at his first World Cup where his constant saves caught the eye of crowds despite his side’s early exit. Pletikosa would continue to be first choice for both the 2006 and 2014 tournament’s as he went on his way to reach 114 caps for Croatia, putting him third in the nation’s all time list.
RB: Darijo Srna
For a right-back, Darijo Srna had a lot of offensive properties. Quick, skilful and blessed with endless stamina, Srna proved himself to be one of the best wing-backs in the world – regardless of who he played against.
He was also known for his wicked freekicks that were both powerful and swerved wickedly. Srna himself featured at three World Cups and was captain for the 2014 tournament where they would only reach the group stages. Having appeared in three tournaments, Srna earned 136 caps for his side – a national record that stands to this day and one which means he is an automatic pick among the best Crotian football players ever.
LB: Robert Jarni
Capable of playing anywhere on the left-side of the pitch, Robert Jarni appeared as one of the old-guard that oversaw his side’s national formation. His pace and skill made him a handy presence in both attack and defence making a huge asset for his team to utilize.
He was a major part of the side that finished third in 1998 playing in every match of the campaign. He also made appearances in the 2002 tournament despite Croatia’s group stage exit. With 10 games at the World Cup, Jarni is joint-third in all time appearances for Croatian players at a World Cup.
CB: Dario Simic
Every side needs someone who can anchor the defence and that was what Dario Simic did for Croatia in their early days. Not only capable of playing anywhere in the backline, Simic had the skill to pass his way out of trouble and build from the back. It was a skillset that saw Simic featured in no less than three World Cups including as part of the squad that came third in France in 1998.
He would also appear both at the 2002 and 2006 tournaments, seeing him play 11 times for his country at the World Cup. It’s a record that sees him sit second for appearances at the grandest stage of them all and remain a popular figure for his country to this day.
CB: Dejan Lovren
Whilst never the headliner in the team, Dejan Lovren could always be relied upon to clear up any attacks that formed. Lovren possessed excellent tackling skills as well as a threatening aerial presence – a trait that shone at both ends of the pitch.
Lovren made up parts of the squad that featured in both the 2014 and 2018 teams and he was one of the starting back four in the 2018 final loss to France. A reliable hand who isn’t always given the credit he’s due.
CM: Ivan Rakitic
For much of the 2010s, Ivan Rakitic proved himself to be one of the best passers in world football. He could nonchalantly pass the ball through an entire defence and find a teammate in a dangerous position. He also can unleash ferocious shots from distance making him a true threat from open play as well as set-pieces.
He was a key figure in the side that finished second in the 2018 tournament scoring the winning spot kicks in two matches to send them to the final. It was a reason why Rakitic was nominated in the 2018 FifPro World Xi and solidified his presence as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
CM: Luka Modric
Don’t let Luka Modric’s small size fool you as he has proven to be one of the most technically gifted players of his generation and unquestionably one of the best Croatian football players ever. Able to go on may runs and effortless unlock defences with the flick of a boot, Modric often singlehandedly beat team without anyone knowing it. His form was best shone in 2018 where he captained Croatia to the final itself in a run that saw him win three Man of the match awards.
His consistency earned him the 2018 Golden Ball award for best player as well as securing the 2018 Ballon D’Or later that year. With 12 appearances in three World Cup, Modric is the most capped Croatian at a World Cup and one of the best of his generation.
CM:Robert Prosinecki
Able to threaten defences both centrally and on the wing, Prosinecki was always capable of making something happen. His ability to always find a way through defences made him a key asset in Croatia’s midfield as well as in the front line.
His most famous contribution came in the third-place play-off in 1998 where he scored twice to help Croatia come third in their very first world Cup. It was a just reward for one of the hardest workers of his generation and a fulfilment of the promise he showed with Yugoslavia having won the Best Young Player award at the 1990 World Cup.
FW: Mario Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic didn’t have much in the way of flair, but he made up for it with ridiculous consistency in front of the met. Mandzukic could score regardless of where he was even if it was at distance or at acute angles.
It was his three goals that helped Croatia reach the final of the 2018 World Cup where he scored crucial goals against both England as well as France in the final. With 5 goals for Croatia, Mandzukic remains second on all-time list for goals for his country at the World Cup.
FW: Ivan Perisic
Devastating from either side of the pitch, Ivan Perisic could always threaten defences even if the situation seemed unlikely. With quick feet and mind, he would be able to whip in deadly crosses just as well as he could beat somebody one on one.
It was this skill that made him a key part of the 2018 World Cup squad that made the final that year. His goals against England helped secure their spot in the final and stole the headlines in their surprise run to finish second and he definitely warrants inclusion among the best Croatian football players of all time.
FW: Davor Suker
One of the best finishers of his time, Davor Suker could always find the net when he wanted to. Tenacious, crafty, and composed, Suker could outrun and outfox sides before lashing the ball into the net. It was a skill that shone in their 1998 run to third place where Suker scored six goals in the tournament as they shocked the world.
It was enough form to claim the 1998 Golden Boot and earned a spot in the Fifa All-Star XI for the tournament. These goals were just a few of the 45 he scored in 69 games for Croatia – a record for his nation underlining his claim as one of the best to ever play for his country.
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