After an average showing at Euro 2020 and lots of locker room drama for Croatia, it’s evident the squad is in need of a major rebuild. Thankful for the Vatreni, this current generation of youth talent is the most outstanding the nation has ever seen – by far. After compiling a list of 120 Croatian talents to keep an eye on with Markus, here are 5 young players that could really stand out this upcoming year.
5. Marko Bulat – 19 – Center Midfielder – Dinamo Zagreb
Marko Bulat is a special talent. At the age of 19, he was already captain of HNK Šibenik before making his move to Dinamo Zagreb this summer. The central midfielder has recorded 3 goals and 8 assists in 31 Prva Liga matches, catching the eye of FC Barcelona and Manchester City. Bulat nearly made the switch to Barcelona in February of 2020, but the transfer fell through due to COVID-related drama. The young midfielder has been on our radar since his first season in Druga Liga, and has since led his side to a mid-table finish in the 1. HNL. Marko Bulat is very similar to N’Golo Kanté – short, speedy, great vision, and a great interceptor of the ball.
4. Mario Vušković – 19 – Center Back – Hajduk Split
Mario Vušković is an absolute rock in the back. If it wasn’t for RB Leipzig’s Joško Gvardiol, Vušković would be Croatia’s top center back talent. Hajduk’s defensive gem started nearly every game in the 2020-2021 Prva Liga season, constantly putting in a fantastic shift and helping his side to European competition. According to TransferMarkt, there is a 48% chance that Vušković will be continuing his career with Celtic in the Scottish league. Serie A side Torino, led by Croatian manager Ivan Jurić, is also interested in the young defender. I believe that Joško Gvardiol and Mario Vušković have the potential to become the greatest center back pairing in Croatian football history. Not only are the two youngsters fantastic in defense, but their technical abilities are through the roof for center backs at such a young age. Similar to Sergio Ramos, Mario Vušković takes fantastic free kicks and penalties as well.
3. Marin Ljubičić – 19 – Striker – Hajduk Split
Ever since the retirement of Mario Mandžukić, Croatia has failed to find a true replacement for the striker position – but Marin Ljubičić might just be the man for the job. The young striker has made the most of his opportunities on Hajduk’s first team. Towards the end of the 2020-2021 season, Ljubičić showed terrific finishing and passing abilities, and how well he can hold up the ball in the final third. Ljubičić has carried his magnificent form into Hajduk’s summer preseason matches, scoring in nearly every match and constantly playing with composure and confidence. The young striker knows how to put the ball in the back of the net – and can be a real threat in the Prva Liga alongside Marko Livaja.
2. Ivan Šaranić – 18 – Right Wing/Attacking Midfield – Dinamo Zagreb
Oh, where to start? Ivan Šaranić is one of the brightest talents Croatia has ever seen: a perfect mixture of pace, strength, finishing and passing abilities, aggression, and flare. Dinamo Zagreb has already rejected two offers of £10 million from both Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two most historic clubs of all time, arguably. Šaranić broke into the Dinamo Zagreb first team towards the end of the 2020-2021 season, providing one assist in three matches. Ivan also impressed in the Druga Liga, scoring 3 goals and assisting once in 8 matches – carrying Dinamo Zagreb out of a relegation spot in the league table. As bold as it sounds, Ivan Šaranić is very similar to Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players have used their athletic abilities and height to their advantage, score absolute rockets on a weekly basis, and finish to perfection – not to mention Ivan’s fantastic vision and assisting capabilities. Šaranić has also scored 80 goals in 85 official matches for Dinamo Zagreb’s youth squads. I believe that Šaranić will become a key starter in Croatia’s next golden generation, alongside the talents mentioned in this list and in front of #1, Stipe Biuk.
1. Stipe Biuk – 18 – Left Wing/Attacking Midfield – Hajduk Split
Before I go on and on about why Stipe Biuk is the most promising youngster Croatia has ever seen, let me start with his 2020-2021 stats:
3 goals and 3 assists in 9 Prva Liga matches. Winner of Hajduk Split’s ‘Goal of the Season’ award. One appearance for Croatia’s U21s (came in as substitute in the U21 Euro quarterfinals) and drew the penalty that tied the game at 1-1 against Spain. Highest market value winner of all Croatian youth internationals this summer. Included in the 2021 Golden Boy shortlist (alongside Joško Gvardiol and Antonio Marin). And so much more with Hajduk’s youth teams.
Stipe Biuk has it all. Football analysts have stated they have never seen a talent more similar to Lionel Messi in their lives. Since the minute Biuk began playing for Hajduk’s 1st team, he has done nothing but impress the entire nation. He’s put a countless number of professional defenders on ice skates with his magnificent dribbling abilities, and carried a disappointing Hajduk squad to European competition alongside Marko Livaja, Marin Ljubičić, and Mario Vušković. He is a gem.
Croatia’s next golden generation is predicted to become the nation’s best of all time. Alongside more established players such as 18 year-old Luka Sučić, 19 year-old Joško Gvardiol, Tottenham killers Lovro Majer and Luka Ivanušec, and not to mention Vatreni regulars Nikola Vlašić and Josip Brekalo, this next Croatian generation quite clearly has the potential to become World Cup champions.
As special as 2018 was for Croatia, we see so much more success coming our way. Mark my words.
Jovic #1
It will be interesting to see what the investigation shows of the laisor being
pointed at Schemicle during the penalty shot. Imagine if it was our fans
There would be at least 2-3 references to NDH made by several media outlets.
VAR was implemented to help the big teams. In no way is it used to verify calls. There are so many examples of VAR’s use in the WC and Euro where you watch the replay and say, “no way is that a penalty, it has to be reversed” or “that should be a penalty”. Obviously, Croatia in the WC final was a joke. There was also the Serb guy getting tackled by the Swiss guy, no call. France got other gifts in the WC, including a dive by Greizmann against Australia (what else is new). And in this tournament, the Czech penalty against Croatia was a joke. And then yesterday. In all of these cases, there is no doubt the wrong call was made. They needed England in the final, pure and simple. More $$. Just like they needed France to win the WC.
What effect do these questionable calls refs make in big games have on their future careers . The game is very fast paced and refs can make mistakes but with var available they have the opertunity to be cristal clear on their final decision. Imagine how many honest refs would have wanted var available to them before it’s introduction to the game. They are given the opportunity to correct a mistake if they don’t look at var they are responsible .After viewing var the call has to be with out a dought the correct one or it has to be dismissed
Thanks for this article! Helps to improve the mood a bit and help us to be more positive after a disappointing tourney so i appreciate that : ).
So they give England a 6+ stoppage time in normal time 90 th minute but when Denmark was attacking in the 120th minute it was only 1 + stoppage time? Penalty wasn’t even challenged. England played most of their games at home. Is something strange here?
I loved how at 6 minutes injury time, it was a thrown in, so he should have blown the whistle and end the second half. But he let England have the ball for 40 more seconds to try and score. WTF was that? And the big bs is that the 2nd round game against Germany was moved from Dublin to London. I guess not enough home games for England.
I noticed that extra time after the throw-in, too. Very odd. Ref definitely gave them extra time when it wasn’t warranted.
Very strange bratko
England is the better team but that was not a penalty at 1-1 semi final of a euro- no way- hope Italy fills them in like a meatball
Wow what a weak PK to call in OVERTIME in a Semi-Final and then VAR doesnt even challenge it. Such crap.
That was not a penalty for england
Leadership from the backline is huge.
Not enough praise for Chiellini. Hell of a captain! Very infectious personality. I love Luka but Chiellini’s leadership is on another level.
So of you may be old enough to remember a CroatianSports legend Ziva Istina. He always said that young talent doesnt always come to fruition, even many stars on U21 WorldCup winning squads dont end up playing for the National Team Squads so with that being said, lets hope many of these up and comers make it through, I am thinking at the most 1 or 2 unfortunately.
What happened to Mr Ziva?
Word on the street is he was teaching diaspora at a kafic in Dalmacija (who were butchering the language) how to order drinks properly during the pandemic. Heard he caught COVID from that and died – while living his best ZDS lifestyle to the very end.
RIP Ziva Istina. You were an inspiration to millions of diaspora. We raise our gemist to you and salute you.
Watching the game yesterday what stood out for me was the passion and heart Italy had.
They were completely outclassed but heart and determination won out.
It started at the national anthem when they were ALL singing like they were in the opera…then you watch our guys and half don’t even know the words or mumble thru it I’m embarrassed when I watch them.
We have completely lost the plot as a young country and the pride our athletes once had is slowly being washed away for whatever reason…don’t kid yourself you see it too!
I recall us playing the dream team in basketball in the olympics it was like I was walking on air I was so excited and proud…and the 90’s team in France the same feelings,and you could see our athletes were proud.. locked in and determined to fight to the death.
We can blabber on and on about talent but unless we re-capture that fighting spirit and pride that modric and the present italy team has we will never be champions in anything.
Did the HNS instruct Dalic to start Gvardiol on left side to get back at Sosa . Both Gvardiol and Sosa should have had 1st. team experience before the tournament started .
Time will be the factor. Prefer that young players are themselves and not “the next”
That is a load of crap!
Best example is Alen Haliovic
Waste of talent. Did not progress and in this tournament we missed Rakitic
Italy has beaten Spain but it was a sloppy win. Spain dominated and Italy just came clutch in the shootout. Gigi 2.0 has bailed them out so many times. I’m still convinced they’ll find a way to win it all. Hopefully Denmark beat England. Denmark will have a tough time especially since England haven’t conceded a goal yet. I’ll admit the defence has been top notch and Pickford is a beast. The midfield has improved with Mount, Phillips, and Rice. But Sterling has carried the offence. England has looked better and I hope they blow it. Denmark do it for Eriksen and beat these smucks. They’ll blow it tomorrow or against Italy if they win. Either Denmark or Italy wins and I won’t care.
croatiau14… I really enjoy your work and passion. My employees are still overswamped in the reopening to be able to do the youth soccer analysis like back in the day so it’s great to see someone diving in and providing us with their take
but man oh man… i feel you are falling into the great youth hope trap
if I understand correctly, our future team will feature ronaldo 2.0, messi 2.0, and anchored in the back line by ramos 2.0
indeed the future is bright! but alas, i think as always…i always use perisic as the barometer
even the greatest youth talent, you should never have their baseline be higher than perisic, which really isn’t too bad
but to project anything higher, will consistently leave you overshooting.
I think back to Croatia’s great u17 team that looked like they were going to take the youth world cup and how people thought there were stars all over.. In the end, all we might get is brekalo and maybe sosa if he decides if he’s croatian or not
for fun… lets re-hash the list again of supposed next modrics, xavis, messi’s
alen ha ‘lil guy’ o vic (next messi)
mateo krotch-does-itch (next modric)
marcelo epic-BOZO-vic (next xavi)
marko pee-ass-a (next ronaldo)
tin jedva igra
bru-“NO effort” petkovic
sime vrs-SUCK-lkjo (next Srna +)
Josk -“Oh he’s thirsty” gvardiol
Josip Bust-a-lo
ante chode-itch
Why don’t you offer him a fuckin job then?
I don’t think he meant that they will be as good as Messi or Ronaldo… all he said is their playing style is similar. Biuk is basically a tall Messi type player. Not projecting them to be that high.
Oliver Zelenika, Robert Muric, Josip Maganjic, Ivan Fiolic, Filip Benkovic, Marko Livaja, Ante Coric, Duje Cop and on and on and on….
You wanna see how much of a difference coaching can make?
This Italian team misses the World Cup with that bum coach Gian Piero Ventura… and now they’re about to win these Euros with Mancini as coach.
@ Suba
Istina ! !
Watching Mancini and his entire staff squeeze every ounce of potential out of Italy makes me think what the heck are we doing?!
Spain spots us a goal and then we score two more in 11 minutes to make it 3-3 into extra time.
And we don’t knock them out?!
On a different note.
Stipe Biuk is the type of athletic attacker we have been waiting for since the 90’s.
Alen Bokšić 2.0?
I want to see that kid at the World Cup.
We would have this crappy Italian team today if it wasn’t for incompetence of dalic
I’m still pissed
Orsic was a big reason Dinamo barely skipped a beat when olmo left
Yet olmo at 22 is running one of the best squads in the world and orsic looking for scrap time
Not saying they are same quality of player but Seriously find him sometime
You can’t tell me he has any less ability to play striker for instance then Rebić does
Anyways Spain was better and deserved the win
But u knew the longer it kept going the better Italy’s chances were
So much could have been done from 2018 to now Dalic wasted 3 years imo. Watching spain rodri is 18 years old and hes playing in croatia mbappe would still be on under 21s
After watching olmo today
I wonder if he had integrated our youngsters like they did with Dani how this tournament could have been a breakout tournament for many of them had they been given the chance
Such a shame
@ Sub. Your 100 percent correct. I do feel that we could off pulled out the win with Spain had Dalic made better choices. As you may have seen with Italy what can be accomplished if you have a good coach and proper management. Our SAvez and how it is run is a big reason why we loose. The politics the infighting all plays apart. for a young generation to succeed a lot moving parts go with that . Dinamo love them or hate them brought a lot of talented players into the system. That needs to be translated to the national team
We are still in group A of nations league?
When are they doing that crap again?
I wish we went down and just use it as a time to play truly experimental stuff against decent teams
Having to play kids against the Frances and Spain’s could kill their confidence potentially
We need a striker
Let’s pray one of these kids can do that for us and quick
Otherwise like others have said it’s not like budimir is crap and he deserves more time
Both petko and krama have been given more then nuff chances
Nations League should be used to cap the kids and take chances with the lineup
Olmo is a good player but boy he has missed a few chances today
Lacking in the finishing department
Problem is will dalic start putting younger players in like other nations or will he stick with his meljnjaks and skorics badelj etc.
Gotta start strong in september 3 hard games what will happen we will see bradaric gvardiol even sosa forgove forget pongracic katic uremovic cc brekalo vlasic moro majer vlasic ivanusec buik even Dario simics son looks like a good cf and ljubicic splitski mbapee time for kovacic to shine like in the euros we have potencial just gotta gel is the dalic the man for that no more 20q8 stare zasluge gotta move on and not make mistakes under 21 success means nothing to most of us its all about A team.
Man you know who is a can’t miss prospect, Dani olmo;)
He looks great for Spain
They are ruling the first part of
This match
We were in it against them
We can still play boys
Just need the right formation and a couple new pieces to come in and fit
Let’s hope a couple of these kids pan out
Would love to see a teenager make a splash for us
Seems like we never mature early enough for that tho
But the difference is that the Italiani didn’t concede just before half time like a bunch of pussies
Spain minus morata
Is he injured
Gonna be nil all extra time penalties
There’s no recognised strikers in this game
We had Sammir! Stole him from Brazil.
Generational! Might have to wait awhile for the next
Poraz Poraz, moj poraz, moja samoća i moja udaljenost;
Draži ste mi od tisuću trijumfa,
I slađe mom srcu od svetske slave.
Poraz, moj poraz, moje samospoznaje i moj prkos,
Po tebi znam da sam još uvijek mlad i brz
I da ne bude zarobljen usahlim lovorikama.
I u tebi sam pronašao samoću
I radost što su se klone i preziru.
Poraz, moj Poraz, moj sjajni mač i štit,
U tvojim sam očima čitao
To što treba ustoličiti mora biti porobljeno,
I razumjeti znači izravnati,
A uhvatiti se samo dosegnuti puninu
I poput zrelog voća da padne i bude konzumirano.
Poraz, moj poraz, moj odvažni pratitelju,
Čut ćete moje pjesme i moje vapaje i moje tišine,
I nitko osim vas neće mi govoriti
o kucanju krila,
I nagovaranje mora,
I planina koje gore u noći, I samo ćeš se popeti na moju strmu i stjenovitu dušu.
Poraz, moj poraz, moja besmrtna hrabrost, Ti i ja ćemo se smijati zajedno s olujom,
I zajedno ćemo kopati grobove za sve koji umiru u nama,
I mi ćemo s voljom stajati na suncu,
I bit ćemo opasni.
Defeat, my Defeat, my solitude and my aloofness;
You are dearer to me than a thousand triumphs,
And sweeter to my heart than all world-glory.
Defeat, my Defeat, my self-knowledge and my defiance,
Through you I know that I am yet young and swift of foot
And not to be trapped by withering laurels.
And in you I have found aloneness
And the joy of being shunned and scorned.
Defeat, my Defeat, my shining sword and shield,
In your eyes I have read
That to be enthroned is to be enslaved,
And to be understood is to be leveled down,
And to be grasped is but to reach one’s fullness
And like a ripe fruit to fall and be consumed.
Defeat, my Defeat, my bold companion,
You shall hear my songs and my cries and my silences,
And none but you shall speak to me of the beating of wings,
And urging of seas,
And of mountains that burn in the night,
And you alone shall climb my steep and rocky soul.
Defeat, my Defeat, my deathless courage,
You and I shall laugh together with the storm,
And together we shall dig graves for all that die in us,
And we shall stand in the sun with a will,
And we shall be dangerous.
This sure sounds promising. When will we get to see them playing on the international team together? Hopefully soon.
As for Vuskovic playing with Gvardiol, you’ll have to wait until after the 2026 WC when Lovren and Vida retire.
How will the “next great!”…Rate in 5 years is the real question mate.
You could have written this 5 years ago and plugged in halilovic,basic,muric,coric,benkovic…time will tell and I’ll be pleasantly surprised if even2 or 3 of those top 5 turn into decent talents, that help the repka.
We have been let down too many times before.
Crazy to think that out of that group, 5 years ago Basic got the least amount of hype but is in the best situation now and still has room for upward trajectory..
Messi, Ronaldo, kante, Ramos … this sounds like a job for a tv repairman!
Without a great coach great talent can only achieve average results..
Well said.
right on Niko, this is the piece Croatia politics in soccer won’t allow- we load HNS with previous players and pay them when we need soccer trainers from other countries who actually know some tactics- Dalic showed what he knows at Euro 2021- it was not good.
Question for ya, where does Luka Sucic rank assuming he chooses Croatia in the future? Salzburg has produced some talent in the recent years.
I’d say Sucic is the biggest under 20 midfield talent for Croatia. He’s gonna be a locked starter for the U21s at the age of 18 and expect to see him soon enough in the checkers. FYI, he chose Croatia over Austria a while back.
Thank you I figured he would just didnt know he did!
We’re never short of great talent- and it warms my heart to see so many great kids coming up- I’d say that is no surprise for Croatia soccer factory- how do we ensure development with the soccer carnival they call HNS- I’d say we always have a great product but the guys that bring it to market couldn’t run a one car funeral- God love us for having such good boys but we have to fix the farce of our coaching and administration – I did love the article and research -great job – so much promise and optimism for the future.
Will there be a follow up interview with Romeo Jozak so you can tell him Croatia should be playing a false 9? Someone needs to teach him.
🤣🤣🤣🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
How did Petkovic and Rebic work out for you this tourney?
TIL I’m Zlatko Dalić.
Sweet, we got the next Messi and Ronaldo. Nice write up!
Yea, but we need the trifecta.
We need the next Modric, so he can win the Ballon D’or over the next Messi and the next Ronaldo.
Back in December 2011, Stipe Biuk’s mom suddenly died in front of him while making him a cake for his 9th birthday (which was just a couple of days after Christmas too).
Can’t imagine how much he suffered from that experience. Makes me extra happy to see him succeed.
Thanks 🙏 Ante for making me feel so much better now