Croatia Football Team Valuation & Best Players

Croatia Football Team Market Value

In this blog we are going to see Croatia Football team and its market value and see that how stronger Croatia Football Team is.

Croatia’s national football team has demonstrated remarkable performances in the last two FIFA World Cups, reaching the final in 2018 and securing a strong position in 2022. This success is mirrored in the team’s market valuation, which has seen significant growth over this period.

In 2018, Croatia’s squad was valued at approximately €364 million. By 2022, this valuation had increased to around €377 million, reflecting the team’s enhanced reputation and the rising prominence of its players.

Several key players have contributed to this increase in market value. For instance, in 2023, Joško Gvardiol was the highest-valued player on the Croatian national team, with an estimated market value of €75 million. Mateo Kovačić ranked second, with a market value of approximately €40 million. 

statista.com

This upward trend in market valuation underscores Croatia’s growing strength and competitiveness on the international football stage, driven by the exceptional performances of Luka Modrić and his teammates.

Ratings Out of 10 to Croatia’s Football Team :

Croatia’s national football team has consistently demonstrated strong performances across various positions. Here’s an assessment of key areas, rated out of 10:

Goalkeeper: 8/10

Dominik Livaković has been a reliable presence between the posts. His shot-stopping abilities and composure under pressure have been instrumental in crucial matches. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Livaković’s performances were particularly noteworthy, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier goalkeeper.

Defenders: 8/10

The Croatian defense is anchored by standout players like Joško Gvardiol. Gvardiol, in particular, has been recognized for his defensive prowess and is currently the highest-valued player on the team, with an estimated market value of €75 million. 

transfermarkt.com

Midfielders: 9/10

The midfield remains Croatia’s strongest asset, led by the evergreen Luka Modrić. Despite his age, Modrić continues to deliver world-class performances, orchestrating play with vision and precision. Alongside him, Mateo Kovačić provides energy and technical skill, contributing significantly to both defensive duties and attacking transitions.

Forwards: 7/10

While the forward line may not boast the same star power as other positions, players like Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Perišić have been effective in delivering crucial goals. Their experience and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have been valuable assets to the team.

Manager: 9/10

Under the guidance of Zlatko Dalić, appointed in 2017, Croatia has achieved remarkable success, including a runner-up finish in the 2018 World Cup and a third-place finish in 2022. Dalić’s tactical acumen and leadership have been pivotal in maximizing the team’s potential on the international stage. 

en.wikipedia.org

Overall, Croatia’s balanced squad, characterized by a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talents, continues to perform admirably across all areas of the pitch.

Croatia National Football Team Total Ranking 8.2.

Croatia Football Team Total Valuation :

As of February 2025, here is a table detailing the market valuations and current clubs of key players in the Croatian national football team:

PlayerAgePositionClubMarket Value (€)
Joško Gvardiol23Centre-BackManchester City75.00 million
Mateo Kovačić30Central MidfieldManchester City28.00 million
Martin Baturina21Attacking MidfieldDinamo Zagreb20.00 million
Luka Sučić22Central MidfieldReal Sociedad18.00 million
Josip Šutalo24Centre-BackDinamo Zagreb18.00 million
Mario Pašalić30Central MidfieldAtalanta13.00 million
Petar Sučić21Defensive MidfieldDinamo Zagreb12.00 million
Dominik Livaković30GoalkeeperDinamo Zagreb11.00 million
Marin Pongračić27Centre-BackLecce10.00 million
Dominik Kotarski25GoalkeeperPAOK Thessaloniki8.00 million
Duje Ćaleta-Car28Centre-BackSouthampton8.00 million
Igor Matanović21Centre-ForwardEintracht Frankfurt8.00 million
Nikola Vlašić27Attacking MidfieldTorino7.00 million
Kristijan Jakić27Defensive MidfieldEintracht Frankfurt6.50 million
Borna Sosa27Left MidfieldVfB Stuttgart6.00 million
Nikola Moro26Defensive MidfieldBologna5.00 million
Luka Modrić39Central MidfieldReal Madrid5.00 million
Matija Frigan22Centre-ForwardHNK Rijeka5.00 million
Ante Budimir33Centre-ForwardOsasuna5.00 million
Andrej Kramarić33Centre-ForwardHoffenheim4.00 million

Market values are sourced from Transfermarkt as of February 2025.

transfermarkt.com

Note: The market values are estimates and can fluctuate based on player performance, transfers, and other factors.

Best Croatian Footballers :

Goalkeepers

  • Dominik Livaković (€11M) – I believe Livaković is underrated in the global market. His performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup was exceptional, proving he can handle high-pressure situations. Given his consistency, I think his value should be closer to €15M-€18M.

Defenders

  • Joško Gvardiol (€75M) – This valuation is fair and justified. He is one of the best young defenders globally, excelling at Manchester City. If he continues to improve, he could be a €100M+ defender in the next few years.
  • Josip Šutalo (€18M) – A solid young defender, but still needs to prove himself at a higher club level. His valuation is reasonable, but with more Champions League experience, he could reach €30M+.
  • Borna Sosa (€20M) – A great attacking full-back, but inconsistent defensively. If he moves to a top-tier club and improves defensively, I can see him reaching €30M.

Midfielders

  • Luka Modrić (€10M) – A football legend. His age impacts his valuation, but in terms of quality and leadership, he’s still worth much more. Even at 39, I’d put him around €15M-€20M, given his experience and influence.
  • Mateo Kovačić (€38M) – A versatile and technically gifted midfielder who has proven his worth at Chelsea and now at Manchester City. His valuation is fair, but if he starts scoring more, I could see him reaching €45M.
  • Marcelo Brozović (€25M) – One of the best defensive midfielders. He may be 32, but his positional awareness and passing ability keep him valuable. I think €25M is fair, but if he were still in Europe (instead of Al-Nassr), he’d be closer to €30M.

Forwards

  • Ivan Perišić (€5M) – Still a big-game player, but age is catching up. His valuation is accurate, though his experience in crucial matches makes him valuable in short-term contracts.
  • Andrej Kramarić (€4M) – He has been a consistent scorer, but his market value reflects his age. Still useful for mid-tier clubs, but I don’t see his valuation increasing much.

Overall Takeaway

  • Croatia has one of the strongest midfield cores in international football, with Modrić, Kovačić, and Brozović.
  • Gvardiol is the most valuable asset and could become the world’s most expensive defender in the next 2-3 years.
  • Livaković is underrated, and I see him moving to a bigger club soon.
  • Attack is the weak link—no standout young striker. Croatia needs a world-class forward to compete at the highest level.

Final Thoughts :

If I were to estimate the market values of these teams based on player quality, recent performances, squad depth, and potential, here’s how I would rank them:

National TeamEstimated Market Value (€)Reasoning
England1.05 billionA deep squad with world-class talents like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka, plus young stars. Strong Premier League influence.
France1.00 billionMbappé alone adds immense value; also strong across all positions with players like Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Saliba.
Brazil900 millionRich in attacking talent (Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo), but lacks depth in defense and midfield compared to England/France.
Argentina800 millionMessi’s legacy, plus stars like Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández. Still strong but not as deep as England/France.
Italy650 millionLacks superstars but has solid, well-rounded players. More tactical than individually valuable.
Croatia400 millionLess star power but strong midfield (Modrić, Kovačić) and upcoming talents like Gvardiol. Consistently punches above its weight.

Croatia has been defying expectations for the last two World Cups, and their performances in 2018 (finalists) and 2022 (semi-finalists) prove that they are more than just their squad value. The team’s strength has always been its collective spirit, tactical intelligence, and world-class midfield.

Luka Modrić has been the heart of the team, and while he’s nearing the end of his international career, Croatia still has exciting young players like Joško Gvardiol, Martin Baturina, and Luka Sučić who can carry the torch. However, whether they can maintain the same level without Modrić’s leadership is the big question for 2026.

Football is unpredictable, and Croatia has already shown that team chemistry and determination can outshine pure market value. If their younger generation steps up, they could once again prove the doubters wrong and make another deep run in the next World Cup. 

Happy Soccer

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