Joško Gvardiol (foto: Getty Images)
Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol believes Mateo Kovačić should inherit Croatia’s captaincy once Luka Modrić retires from international football.
With Luka Modrić’s international retirement looming, speculation is mounting over who will succeed him as Croatia’s captain. Many assume Ivan Perišić is the natural choice, but Joško Gvardiol has put forward a surprising candidate—his Manchester City and Croatia teammate Mateo Kovačić.
Speaking to Manchester City’s official website, Gvardiol reflected on Kovačić’s journey and leadership qualities.
"Kovačić went through something similar to me. He left Croatia when he was just 17 or 18—he was even younger than I was when he moved to Inter," Gvardiol explained. "At first, he struggled for playing time, even at Real Madrid. His path hasn’t been easy, and I’m happy he’s part of our squad and our national team."
Then came the unexpected twist—Gvardiol firmly backed Kovačić to take over the Croatian captaincy.
"I think Mateo Kovačić deserves to be Croatia’s captain when Modrić retires. He’s a great leader, and I believe he can guide the national team for years to come," he concluded.
While Perišić remains a fan-favorite choice, Gvardiol’s endorsement adds another perspective to the debate over who should wear the armband for Croatia’s next era.