Ivica Olić praises young star Anton Matković: "A true gem of Croatian football"

Joško Gvardiol was recently asked by English journalists which young Croatian player he sees as a future star, and he pointed to one name: Anton Matković.

In a recent U-21 match against Portugal, Croatia's young team, led by Ivica Olić, suffered a 2-0 defeat in Karlovac. Despite the loss, the game showcased some of HNL’s rising stars, including Matković, who plays for Osijek. At just 18 years old, Matković has already made his mark in the U-21 national team, and Olić had nothing but praise for the young forward.

"I haven't seen a forward with greater potential in a long time. After many years, we've found someone with height, speed, and the ability to use both feet," Olić said, highlighting Matković's talent.

Gvardiol introduced him to the world
"This kid needs the right guidance, and I hope with good health, the right mindset, and hard work, he can develop into a top striker. I've been following him since his time at Osijek, but seeing him in training is something else. He's a true gem of Croatian football, but he has to stay grounded and understand that success doesn’t come overnight," Olić added.

Olić emphasized the importance of patience, noting that there will be ups and downs, but Matković has all the attributes to build an excellent career. Olić also mentioned Crnac, who recently made a great move to Norwich, hoping both players stay healthy.

When Gvardiol was asked by the English media which young Croatian player has the brightest future, he mentioned Matković. At the time, Matković wasn’t as well-known in Croatia, leading many to ask who he was. However, his impressive performances for Osijek have drawn attention not only in Croatia but also from clubs abroad.