Written by Matt Pocrnić (@crotalentscout2 on X)
19-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper Anthony Pavlešić has officially committed to playing for Croatia, turning down Australia, the country where he was born and raised. The decision came after talks with U-21 head coach Ivica Olić, and just weeks after Pavlešić faced Croatia U-21 while representing Australia U-23 at a tournament in Qatar, where Australia won 2-1.
Pavlešić, who stands at 6’3″, currently plays for Bayern Munich II in Germany’s Regionalliga. Known for his strong shot-stopping, footwork, and calm presence, he’s one of the most promising young keepers in his age group. Bayern signed him in 2023 after scouting him during his time with Australia’s U-17 team, impressed by his talent and composure at a young age.
Since then, his development has continued to turn heads in Germany. Some football experts have compared Pavlešić to elite-level goalkeepers like Jan Oblak and Ederson, highlighting his comfort on the ball and commanding presence in goal.
His decision to switch to Croatia comes at a time when Bayern Munich’s academy features several players with Croatian roots, including goalkeeper Leon Klanac, who currently represents Germany U-18 but is also eligible for Croatia.
Pavlešić’s connection to his homeland has always been strong. His father, Steve Pavlešić, originally from Duga Resa, shared:
“I bought Anthony his first jersey when he was three, it was a Croatian one. I’ve never given him an Australian one.”
Now based in Munich and working with a private tutor to learn Croatian, Pavlešić is currently awaiting FIFA’s approval to finalize his one-time switch. If all goes as planned, he could join Croatia’s U-21 squad as early as June.
“He’s a talented young goalkeeper and exactly the type of player we need,” said Olić. “I’m happy he chose Croatia, the future looks bright for him.”
From Fairfield to Munich and now on the path to the Vatreni, Anthony Pavlešić’s international journey is just getting started.
$5 parlay with Gorica, Istra and Osijek to win would have paid $1,580.
Mattheus Eduardo reposted 4 reposts on IG with the original post being a pic of him and Modric
Unfortunately Anonymous can’t say more as the initial reposts and original post have text in Portuguese 🤷♂️
First loss for Hajduk at home this season. Three draws and a loss against Istra this season could prove to be costly ?
Livaja was awful this match, one of the worst performances from him this season.
Dinamo with the big loss
Hajduk have a clear path to take it
Match starts in 10 minutes, according to media almost 30 K expected at Poljud. Looking at LIVE pictures it looks more like 15 K with 10 minutes to go to the KO.
Gattuso with 4 changes.
What chances that Hajduk stuffs up ??
Too bad. I was hoping Boban would build a strong team for next seasons champions league. Can they still get into Europa League? I’m not sure how the qualifying works for the HNL.
This is probably the weirdest HNL season. I have no idea who is gonna win this, Hajduk is losing 1-0 right now. Lol. What more can they ask for to win this season.
Not looking good for Hajduk 1 – 0 down at HT.
In 35 min Pukstas lost the ball on halfway, quick counter and Istra score.
Just finished Gorica 1 v Dinamo 0.
What a shock, Gorica score in 67 minute with their only shot on target. Gorica had a player sent off in the 83 minute but managed to hold on helped by stupidity on Dinamo bench i.e. Ademi got injured in the 84th minute and they had no subs left so it ended 10 v 10.
What an opportunity for Hajduk and Rijeka to extend the lead to 7 points?
Off topic but a decent read
https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-who-are-ivica-zubac-parents-all-about-the-clippers-star-s-family-background-more/?utm_source=link&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=article_share
Bayern destroy many young croatian players..vidovic and zvronanek..stanisic is fortunate to be loaned out to leverkusen
mali ne razumije hrvatski jezik. sve mi je jasno. on nije Hrvat.
Kako znaš?
sere
I’m of the opinion if you were born and raised in Australia then you are Australian citizen, and the same principal applies to those born in Canada or the USA.
However, if your heritage is Croatian and you want to play for Croatia, I do not have a problem with that. As far as language is concerned, he can learn Croatian.
His parents are from Croatia, making it more likely he speaks the language (as opposed to them also being born and raised in Aus)
@Mart
What about in your scenario re citizenship 2 Croatians (neither w any Japanese blood) have a baby born in Japan
Would the baby be a Japanese citizen ?
Trick question 😎
Anthony Pavlesic wasn’t even initially called-up to Australia U23 – he was only called up after another keeper Patrick Beach dropped out
x.com/FootballAUS/status/1901901787344560627
So he steps up from Australia U20 to U23 as 4th choice (replacement) and Australia U23 decided to play him for only one game in the tournament the one against Croatia where he has roots and who could pick him off for themselves ?
Something smells here – why did Australia serve him up to us on a plater ? They can’t be that dumb
He was part Bayern’s 2024 pre-season friendlies Audi Summer Tour last summer – where Bayern played Ange😊 in Seoul – Pavlesic didn’t play against Ange 😢 – but did get some minutes in the first game (where Bayern won 14-1 vs. FC Rottach-Egern)
aleagues.com.au/news/nestory-irankunda-bayern-munich-squad-to-play-ange-postecoglou-tottenham-pavlesic-bundesliga-news-a-league-aussies-abroad-socceroos/
btw: Bayern bought two players from that Aussie U17 team – also a winger Irankunda who seems farther along – already playing for Grasshoppers in Swiss since January – and has been capped for Australia senior NT 5 times since 2024
Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but why hasn’t Australia senior NT already capped Anthony (like Irankunda) and he’s still only playing for their U23 ? I mean the Aussies know he has Croatian links – it’s not some mystery – and they also know Croatia doesn’t have any real standout young keeper prospects
They need young keepers too – Mathew Ryan is 33 y.o. w/ 98 caps (back-up keepers 30 y.o. Paul Izzo 0 caps and 27 y.o. Tom Glover also 0 caps)
They do have Joe Gauci who is 24 (capped 7 times for Australia first at 21 y.o. but not getting called up anymore) who has played twice for Aston Villa in 2024 (in cups) and in 2025 now on loan at mid-table Barnsley in League One (3rd English tier) and only played 5 times
Also strange there is literally only one short YT compilation on a few of Anthony’s saves in one game for Australia U17 (but nothing else)
All this to say – sure Olic is presenting this as some massive win for Croatia and maybe this ends up being some completely under the radar find ultimately – but on the face of it Olic convinced a decent prospect to take a step back from Australia U23 to Croatia U21 who’s dad bought him a Croatian jersey at 3 but needs a private tutor in Munich to learn Croatian at 19
Why did Steve give him a Croatian jersey at three but never teach him the Croatian language (and now he needs a tutor in Munich to learn it) ?
Is it really a one-time switch until he plays:
a) Senior Croatia NT level competitive (non-friendly) match (e.g. Declan Rice 3 senior Ireland NT (friendlies) –> senior England NT)
or
b) Croatian team when older than 21 years old (e.g. Borna Sosa playing for Croatia U21 after 21 years old – so couldn’t switch to senior Germany NT) ?
Did FIFA tighten up the rules again ?
In theory, until either a) or b) happens he can switch back – no ?
e.g. Australia U23 –> Croatia U21* –> Croatia Senior NT (friendly)* –> Australia Senior NT (competitive)
*Assumes he isn’t more than 21 years old
Also – are they working on Adrian Segecic ? We could use all the winger prospects we can get…
I always thought the team should have done a 2-week diaspora tour after winning silver at the world cup… which would have brought more excitement overseas and made it more likely for diaspora kids to choose Croatia. Something like … southern Ontario, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Chicago, LA, Vancouver, and Australia.
Great idea but not realistic. These guys went straight from the end of their professional league season to training for World Cup, then a couple of weeks off, then pre season for their professional clubs. Every one needs a break.
I bought Anthony his first jersey when he was three, it was a Croatian one. I’ve never given him an Australian one.
If it’s not this. It’s not right