Spain will debut in the Euro 2024 this Saturday against Croatia, a tough opponent known for causing trouble in major tournaments. Croatia’s success has been attributed to one of the best generations in its history, led by players like Modric, Rakitic, and Perisic. While some veterans have retired from the national team, new talents like Josko Gvardiol have emerged as key players under Zlatko Dalic’s leadership.
Hailing from Zagreb, Gvardiol is currently one of the most powerful defenders in the world, having become the most expensive defender in history after signing with Manchester City for €90 million. Despite his current success, Gvardiol’s journey to stardom was not easy. He started playing for Tresnjevka, a Zagreb-based team, where he faced older opponents. His father, Tihomir, a former amateur footballer turned fishmonger, influenced his early years by involving him in the family business of selling fish at the Dolac market in Zagreb.
Even with his son’s rise to stardom, Tihomir continues to uphold his work ethic as a fisherman, emphasizing the difficulty of leaving a career ingrained in one’s life. Gvardiol’s success can also be attributed to his time under the guidance of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Guardiola has molded him into one of Europe’s most goal-scoring defenders, with five goals to his name, including one at the Santiago Bernabeu.
As Croatia prepares to face Spain in the Euro 2024, Dalic sees Gvardiol as a key player to counter Spain’s attacking threats, particularly on the right flank with Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal. Gvardiol’s versatility and defensive prowess make him an ideal candidate to play as a left-back, a position he has excelled in recent months. Dalic praised Gvardiol for his power, energy, and strength, highlighting his ability to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive solidity. The coach believes Gvardiol will be one of the best defensive players in the world, if not the best, in the near future.
With Gvardiol set to play a crucial role in Croatia’s match against Spain, all eyes will be on the young defender to see if he can live up to the expectations set by his coach and continue his impressive rise in the world of football. As he faces off against formidable opponents like Carvajal and Yamal, Gvardiol’s performance could be the deciding factor in Croatia’s quest for victory in the Euro 2024.