Who are Croatia’s highest-paid footballers today?
Back in October 2016, TCN presented readers with the list of the 10 highest-paid Croatian footballers at the time, a list that actually looks very different from the one we are bringing you today.
In just a few months time the ranks have surely changed, and new contracts have been signed to bring in some promising and handsome figures to Croatia’s cream of the crop.
Here’s a look at the top 10 highest-paid Croatian footballers today, as reported by 100Posto.hr on April 28, 2017.
1. Luka Modrić (Real Madrid) - 7.5 million EUR: Luka Modrić, starting center-midfielder for Real Madrid, is now the highest-paid Croatian footballer. Back in October 2016, Modrić was in second place making 6.2 million EUR, just behind former Croatian national team member Sammir who was bringing in 6.4 million EUR annually.
2. Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) - 6 million EUR: Dejan Lovren just signed a new contract with Liverpool FC yesterday which will take him through 2021. While he will now be earning a pretty 118,000 EUR salary a week, Lovren was the seventh-highest-paid player back in October, bringing in 3.4 million EUR annually then.
3. Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona) - 5.5 million EUR: Ivan Rakitić renewed his contract with Barcelona just a few months ago, and while 5.5 million EUR sounds like an alright number, Rakitić is still making peanuts compared to his counterparts Messi, Suarez, and Neymar. Back in October though, Rakitić was only bringing in a salary of 3.9 million EUR annually, ranking him as the fifth-highest-paid player back then.
4. Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv) - 4.5 million EUR: Ćorluka has moved one place down in the rankings, as he was the third-highest-paid Croatia footballer back in October, bringing in a 4.4 million EUR salary then.
5. Mario Mandžukić (Juventus) - 3.5 million EUR: Mandžukić has been celebrated for his hard work at Juventus where he is currently on a 3.5 million EUR contract through 2019. Back in October, Mandžukić was the sixth-highest-paid Croatian footballer.
6. Mateo Kovačić (Real Madrid) - 3.5 million EUR: Mateo Kovačić has finally clocked in some decent minutes at the royal Real Madrid, getting to play alongside Croatian counterpart Luka Modrić. Back in October, the Croatian footballer was bringing in 3.1 million EUR annually as the eighth-highest-paid Croatian footballer then.
7. Ivan Perišić (Inter) - 3 million EUR: The highly sought-after midfielder on Inter Milan has sparked interest from clubs all over Europe. While Chelsea and Manchester United fight it out for the Croatian national, we’re sure the salaries they offer will be a bit steeper than what he is getting now. Back in October, Perišić was making 2.5 million EUR per year and just barely made it in at number 10.
8. Marcelo Brozović (Inter) - 2.5 million EUR: Perišić’s partner in crime over at Inter Milan, Brozović is also drawing the wandering eyes of clubs all over Europe. Back in October, Brozović was actually making more than Perišić, as he was ranked the ninth-highest-paid Croatian footballer bringing in 2.6 million EUR annually.
9. Šime Vrsaljko (Atletico) - 2 million EUR: New to the top 10 list this time around is Šime Vrsaljko, the right-back on the Croatian national team and Atletico Madrid. Vrsaljko proved himself to Atletico manager Diego Simeone at the start of the season and earned himself a spot in the starting eleven. Unfortunately, Vrsaljko suffered an injury a few months back, forcing him to miss the European qualifier for World Cup 2018 against Ukraine and the recent Champions League matches. Vrsaljko should be training and ready to play again soon.
10. Marko Pjaca (Juventus) - 1.5 million EUR: Another newbie to the list is former Dinamo Zagreb player Marko Pjaca. Pjaca is also currently injured after suffering a torn cruciate ligament and external meniscus during Croatia’s 0-3 loss to Estonia back in March. Sadly, Pjaca has been ruled out for six months.
