Still very young at just 20 years old, Josko Gvardiol is impressing everyone at the World Cup in Qatar. An agile, powerful and always watchful defender, he has helped his team-mates drag Croatia into a semi-final against Argentina.
Who is Josko Gvardiol?
Born in Zagreb on 23 January 2002, Josko Gvardiol is a centre-half blessed with exceptional ability in all the fundamentals of modern defending. A product of the conveyor belt of talent that is the youth system at Dinamo Zagreb, he made his first-team debut aged 17.
Where does he play?
In September 2020, Gvardiol was bought by RB Leipzig, who stole a march on Europe's biggest clubs to secure the player's services for €16 million plus add-ons, promptly loaning him back to the Croatian club. The following season, he re-joined RB Leipzig and immediately established himself.
But it wasn't just in the Bundesliga where he was making his name; he was soon being spoken of across Europe as one of the game's best prospects. This reputation was enhanced still further by Zlatko Dalic's decision to put his faith in Gvardiol at the UEFA European Championships.
Gvardiol already has 17 caps for his national side and is destined to write his name into Croatian record books. The defender is having an outstanding World Cup and is a serious contender for the FIFA Young Player Award given to the best young player at the tournament.
How much is he worth?
It is hard to put a value on Gvardiol right now. His performances for RB Leipzig this season and at the World Cup have surely inflated his price tag further, and it may take more than €100 million to prize him away from the German side. There is already interest from big clubs such as Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, and the end of this World Cup could trigger a serious bidding war.
Who knows how high the price will go if Gvardiol were to win the FIFA Young Player Award and Croatia were to lift the World Cup.
Key quotes
Josko Gvardiol “Everything is easier in this national team when you have Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic in midfield. You have no negative thoughts and you don't fear anyone. I hope this won't be Luka's last World Cup, but above all I hope we can achieve our goals at this tournament."
Josip Juranovic "Gvardiol is a terrific player. He trains well and wants to learn. I'm certain he will become a truly great defender."
