Sport
The greatest ever Croatia XI
There haven’t been many nations that have rose to prominence in recent years quite like Croatia. Breaking out from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Croatia’s football story has seen the Balkan nation become a powerhouse on the global scene. The national team are perhaps best remembered for reaching the 2018 World Cup final where they lost 4-0 to France in Russia. However, Croatia have also reached the last four on two other occasions – both in 1998 and 2022. This has come thanks to the Balkan nation always having a rich plethora of stars to draw on no matter what generation is shining through. With that in mind, just who makes Croatia’s all time XI?
GK: Vladimir Beara
During the post-war, Vladimir Beara rose up to become one of the best goalkeepers throughout all of Europe. Known for his courageous nature and excellent distribution, Beara was one of the stars of the then-Yugoslavia national squad for much of the 1950s and 1960s. The now-Croatian star spent most of his career at Hajduk Split where he helped them win 3 Yugoslav First League titles between 1950 and 1955. He moved on to Red Star Belgrade in 1955 where he won a further 4 league titles in Yugoslavia as well as finishing second at the 1952 Olympics. His success in his homeland eventually led to a spells in Germany where he eventually retired in 1964.
RB: Darijo Srna
There are fewer defenders in the modern game who had quite the attacking instinct quite like Darijo Srna. Srna encapsulated everything a top full-back needs in today’s game with endless stamina, blistering speed and an excellent breadth of skills. Srna’s biggest asset was his ball striking that made him both an excellent cross-field passer as well as a top set-piece specialist. Srna spent most of his career playing for Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk picking up an astonishing 10 Ukrainian Premier League titles with the club. Wearing the armband for many of these successes, it was also Srna that led them to success winning the 2009 UEFA Cup final. His further skills translated into the international game with Croatia whom he captained from 2008-2016 earning 134 caps in the process. Srna’s success has seen awarded the Ukrainian Order of Courage in 2009 as well as several awards within Croatia too.
LB: Dario Simic
During Croatia’s rise to prominence at the turn of the century, you would always be sure to find Dario Simic somewhere in the backline. Capable of playing anywhere in the backline, Simic’s excellent tackling and determination made him a top defender no matter where he was positioned. It was why Simic earned big-money moves to Italian sides such as Inter Milan and AC Milan after breaking through with Dinamo Zagreb. It was arguably with AC Milan that Simic enjoyed most of his success winning both a Serie A title and two Champions League titles in 2003 and 2007. Simic’s form has always been strong for both club and country as proven by being named 1995 Croatian Footballer of the Year and also being one of the first Croatian players to earn 100 caps for his homeland.
CB: Ivan Buljan
There are perhaps fewer players more revered at Hajduk Split than Ivan Buljan. The dogged defender was an icon who shone at the club for much of the 1970s. Buljan’s driven nature made him a star for the club and earned a reputation that soon was known throughout much of European football. After enjoying much success in his homeland, Buljan earned a move to Germany with Hamburg where he was part of the 1980 European Cup final. Despite losing this match, he would become one of the first Yugoslav stars to play in the US when he joined New York Cosmos in 1981. It was a famous career that was highlighted by Buljan being named 1975 Yugoslav Footballer of the Year in a career that later spent several decades being a manager for sides across the world.
CB: Robert Kovac
During the 1990s, the Kovac brothers were a major part of helping Croatia tear apart any national sides they came up against. It would be the younger of the brothers, Robert, that made the bigger success thanks to his acute defensive awareness and strong tackling skills. This all-round defensive arsenal made Kovac a top defender who was often sought after by Europe’s biggest clubs. This saw him enjoy long stints with top sides such as Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus. Kovac won most of his trophies during his time with Bayern where he lifted two Bundesliga titles as well as the 2001 Intercontinental Cup. Further proof of just how much Robert Kovac left his mark on the game today.
CM: Ivan Rakitic
Despite being born in Switzerland, Ivan Rakitic has risen to become one of Croatia’s biggest assets in recent years. Rakitic has become a midfielder who could dominate in the middle of the park and unlock defences without it seemingly possible. Not only could he make sublime passes, Rakitic also had a lethal shot from distance making him an excellent set-piece option as well as in deadly counter-attacks. Rakitic has shone for sides across Europe since breaking through with Basel shining for the likes of German side Schalke as well as the likes of Barcelona and Sevilla in Spain. Rakitic has won almost every trophy possible in football including La Liga, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. His most telling contributions came in 2015 where was named Croatian Footballer of the Year and nominated in La Liga’s Team of the Season. An excellent modern-day star.
CM: Zvonimir Boban
When he was in full flight, there were fewer players trickier to read than Zvonimir Boban. Boban’s ability to ghost past players and sell them dummies made him an excellent asset to drive play forward and create attacks from almost any angle. It was why Boban became a big star for AC Milan in the 1990s after joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 1991. Spending over a decade at the San Siro, Boban won 4 Serie A titles as well as the 1994 Champions League trophy. Boban would leave his own mark on the game too by twice being named Croatian Footballer of the Year as well as being inducted into the AC Milan Hall of Fame in 2014. Proof that Boban was one of the finest footballers that his nation ever produced.
CM: Luka Modric
When it comes to dictating tempo, there is perhaps no better example than Luka Modric. Modric’s ability on the ball is almost second to none and he can make any pass look easy even when the pressure is extreme. Also being a deadly set-piece specialist, Modric can cause chaos from virtually anywhere on the pitch. It is why Modric has shone in the brightest spotlights particularly when playing for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. With Real, Modric has won a plethora of awards including titles in LA Liga, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. Furthermore, he played a major role in guiding Croatia to their first ever World Cup final in 2018. It was here where he was named Man of the Match 3 times in 6 games to claim the 2018 Golden Ball. It was a highlight of a career that has seen Modric also named Croatian Player of the Year a record 11 times as well as winning the Ballon D’Or in 2018. Truly one of the greatest players of the modern generation.
FW: Davor Suker
During the late 20th century, Davor Suker was one of Europe’s deadliest strikers no matter where he played in the world. His quick acceleration and natural finishing abilities made him a star for numerous sides and he delivered for several European giants such as Sevilla, Real Madrid and Arsenal. Suker’s form in Spain caught the eye of many where he notched double figure goal tallies in 6 of 8 seasons that he spent in La Liga. He twice netted 24 goals tallies – for both Sevilla and Real Madrid – and it was his 24 goals in 1996/97 that helped Real to that season’s La Liga title. He was also a star for Croatia and it was his six goals during the 1998 tournament that helped Croatia finish third at their first ever World Cup tournament and also earn him, the Golden Boot award. Suker’s career is full of individual awards having won 6 Croatian Player of the Year awards and named within the 2004 FIFA 100. To cap it all off, Suker was named an honorary citizen of his hometown of Osijek in 2008 showcasing his importance to his home nation.
FW: Mario Mandzukic
Despite never settling too long at one particular club, you could always be sure that Mario Mandzukic could score plenty of goals no matter who he played for. Having quick feet and excellent aerial prowess, Mandzukic could produce chances and convert them any way he felt comfortable to do so. It was why he did in several top European leagues such as La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A. Mandzukic’s was arguably at his best with Bayern Munich where he won two Bundesliga titles and scored 2 20-goal seasons when in Germany. Mandzukic’s form has been acknowledge by his own personal achievements including 2xCroatian Footballer of the Year Awards as well as being named Croatian Sportsperson of the Year in 2013. A true talent who shone anywhere at any time.
FW: Bernard Vukas
When he was in full flight, it was almost impossible for anyone to stop Bernard Vukas from converting his chance. With blistering pace and great ball control, Vukas could unlock sides by cutting in and scoring with ease. It was with hometown side Hajduk Split that he is best remembered for his form winning three Yugoslav First Division titles in the 1950s and finishing top scorer with 20 goals in the 1954/55 season. He would also enjoy spells in both Italy and Austria before returning in 1967. With such consistent form, it was Vukas who was nominated as Croatia’s greatest footballer in the 20th century when a national poll was cast in 2000. A legend who still is revered to this very day.
