Croatia has always had a wonderful history of insanely technical midfielders. Robert Prosinečki, Zvonimir Boban and the Kovac brothers all played their part in waking the world to the obvious midfield talent in Croatia. Today the Vatreni midfield class is arguably even more gifted than its predecessors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                               

 

     

 

 

Led by the mercurial genius of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Croatia boasts arguably the best midfield in the entire world. Modric who wears the famous number 10 jersey for the most successful team in club football history has been at the core to their recent record breaking success. With Modric in their midfield Real Madrid has sensationally made the Champions League final a remarkable four out of the last five years, with Modric being crowned European champion the last three years in a row. His unbelievable consistency with Los Blancos has not gone unnoticed as he has been named the Champion’s League best midfielder, La Liga’s best midfielder and has been selected for the FIFA World Pro XI for the last three seasons. With over a 100 caps to his name the the six-time Croatian football of the year is the undisputed leader of the squad.

 

 

The claim of Croaita having the best midfield in the world does not lie on Modric’s shoulders alone, alongside him are players who would have a place in most international teams. Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic is a Croatian superstar in his own right with almost a 100 appearances for his national team. The Swiss-born Rakitic, like Modric, has won everything possible in club football world, winning the Champions League, the Europa League and several La Liga titles. Ever present in the Barcelona starting XI, Rakitic will be going into the tournament on the back of another fantastic season where his team only recorded one lost for the entire La Liga season. For many it is not by coincidence the two best players in the world, Messi and Ronaldo, are supported by these Croatian superstars at club level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to Modric and Rakitic there is the much coveted Ivan Persic. The Inter Milan maestro was chased for an entire summer by Jose Mournhio and Manchester United. A much more attacking option that those previously mentioned Perisic has eye for goal and is a capable dribbler. After this World Cup it looks very likely that Inter Milan would not be able to hold on to their star man. Another Croatian midfielder who has already made a move from Inter is 24-year old Mateo Kovačić. Once a true wonderkid of world football, Kovacic has already gone on to play over a century of games for Real Madrid and with Modric’s support at both club and international level he is developing into quite the player. Zidane has shown much confidence in Kovacic this season starting him in Champions League knock out games again both PSG and Bayern Munchien as well as a giving him a starting spot in a clasico game against Barcelona back in December. When Kovacic was in Inter both former players and coaches could not stop raving about his exceptional technical ability and many Croatians believe he has all the tools to be a break out star at this World Cup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most likely to start in Croatia’s midfield three with Modirc and Ratakic should be another Inter player, Marcelo Brozović. A battler, who can go both ways, Brozovic’s performances for the Nerazzurri have made Europe sit up and take notice. The player has been recently linked to both Arsenal and Liverpool in English Premier League and a good World Cup could see him make such moves. Brozovic links up time and time with Persic at club level and this relationship can be dangerous for opponents to deal with at the international level as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                   

The Croatian midfield pool does not stop there as Fiorentina’s captain Milan Badelj provides additional experience while youngsters Marko Rog of Napoli and Cheslea’s loanee Mario Passalic can give much needed energy from the bench. A midfield so stacked means that future talents like Ante Coric and ex Barcelona youngster Alen Haliliovic have no place at all on the plane to Russia.