August 10, 2020 - Atletico Madrid has confirmed that one of the two players positive for coronavirus is Croatia national team player Sime Vrsaljko.

The other is Argentine Angel Correa, and both have no symptoms, reports Index.hr.

Atletico conducted regular testing of players and members of the professional staff on Saturday, and announced on Sunday that the two players were positive, but did not want to reveal their identities, which they did today. Tests were repeated yesterday and no other club member tested positive for coronavirus.

"The club doctors allowed the identities of the players to be revealed in order to break the speculations and it is about Angela Correa and Sime Vrsaljko. Correa is at home in self-isolation, as is Vrsaljko, who does not train with the first team anyway because he is recovering from an injury. We will monitor his condition especially since he developed antibodies a few months ago," the club said in an official statement.

Atletico was due to travel to Lisbon today, where they will play the Champions League quarterfinals against Leipzig on Thursday. However, the trip has been postponed until tomorrow, when the entire delegation of 93 members will leave for Portugal. Atletico's appearance in the quarterfinals is not in question yet.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

July 24, 2020 - As expected, the Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) at its session on Thursday confirmed that Zlatko Dalic had extended his contract until the 2022 World Cup.

His existing contract expired this summer, but HNS president Davor Suker and Dalic officially agreed on a new contract for two years and five months.

Their agreement was confirmed by the HNS Executive Board, but it was only a formality.

The Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation confirmed the agreement between HNS President Davor Suker and Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalic on extending cooperation until the end of the FIFA World Cup, which will be held at the end of 2022.

"For us, at no time was it questionable that Zlatko will lead the team at the Euros next summer, and I am very glad that we immediately agreed to cooperate until the 2022 World Cup. Zlatko is a straightforward and genuine person to talk to, and we easily agreed on all details about continuing the collaboration. His results speak for themselves; we are proud of everything he has achieved so far as a coach and the Federation will provide him and the national team with maximum working conditions, as it has been so far," said HNS President Davor Suker.

"I thank Davor as the president of the Federation, the leadership of HNS, and the Executive Board for the expressed trust. As the situation with the epidemic and the postponement of the Euros to next summer unfolded, we agreed that it makes sense to round out the whole story until the 2022 World Cup. I have always said that there is no greater honor than leading the national team of my country and that is why I had no dilemma about continuing the cooperation. I have a lot of motivation, energy and ambition, and as long as I feel that way, I will lead the Croatia national team with a lot of pride," said the coach of the 2018 World Cup finalists, Zlatko Dalic.

Dalic took over the helm of the "Vatreni" in October 2017 after Ante Cacic was fired. Under his leadership, the Croatia national team won the playoff qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and then achieved its greatest success in Russia, winning second place at the World Cup.

With Dalic, Croatia also qualified for the 2020 European Championships, which was postponed to next summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Along with Miroslav Blazevic, Dalic will become the only Croatia coach who will play with the national team at the World and European Championships.

Blazevic is also a record holder in the number of matches on the bench of the Croatia national team. Ciro led the national team 72 times, Slaven Bilic is second with 65 appearances, and Dalic is currently in third place with 30.

The Croatia national team is expecting a busy autumn program. From September to November, they will have as many as eight appearances - six in the Nations League, and two friendly matches.

The World Cup finalists are in the Nations League in a group with the world champions France, the European champions Portugal, and Sweden. The first place from this group will win a place in the Final Four, while the last place will fall to a lower rank.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

July 16, 2020 - The President of the Croatian Football Federation, Davor Suker, hosted Eduardo Alves da Silva, the former prominent member of the Croatia national team, who will be the HNS ambassador at the European Championship next year.

Eduardo gladly accepted the proposal to be the ambassador of the Croatian Football Federation and the Croatia national team at Euro 2020, which has been postponed to the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The favorite 'Dudu' will once again be with the national team, for which he played 64 times and scored 29 goals, which makes him the third-best scorer of in Vatreni history, behind Suker (45) and Mario Mandzukic (33).

Eduardo interviewed for the official HNS website.

How did this cooperation with HNS come about?

Last Christmas I was in Zagreb, I visited President Suker and through a conversation, he suggested the idea to me. I gladly agreed. I will be honored to be the ambassador of HNS and the Croatia national team at the upcoming Euro.

EURO 2020 will be Croatia's eleventh major competition in history. Is this confirmation of good work in Croatian football?

The results of the HNS speak for themselves. Croatia is continuously a participant in major competitions, and when you have two medals from world championships in 20 years, there is nothing more to add. I see that this high level is maintained even today, that great talents are being developed that will keep Croatia at a high level in the future as well. Quality work with young people is undoubtedly what sets Croatia apart from others, and I am thrilled that President Suker and the current leadership recognize this and invest in it.

Croatia is coming to the EURO as the World Cup finalist. How did you experience the World Cup in Russia?

Then I played in Poland, where I watched all the matches of our national team. I played for Croatia for ten years and I am aware of the quality that this national team has. Several times we really missed the chance for great success, especially in 2008 against Turkey and 2016 against Portugal. In 2012, we had an objectively difficult group with two finalists, but even then, we played very good football. So I'm not surprised that Croatia reached the final because I know these guys and I know how good they are. I played with 80 percent of these guys and I’m so glad they achieved such a fantastic success.

The captain of Vatreni, Luka Modric, also achieved incredible success, with whom you shared the locker room at Dinamo and the national team. Could you have predicted that Luka's career would develop like this?

As a young footballer, each of us dreams of being the best in the world, like our role models like Zidane and Romario. I played a lot with Luka, even against him a few times when he was at Tottenham and at Real, and he really deserved everything that happened to him. He built his career carefully, step by step, and reached the highest possible level that he earned with his quality and his work.

Regardless of the departures of several essential players after the World Cup, Croatia triumphantly went through the qualifications. What can the Vatreni do at Euro 2020?

It was expected that there would be a small drop after the World Cup because every new team needs time to play. See how much time Klopp needed and now this Liverpool team is the champion of Europe and England. It is now clear that Croatia is again ready to be competitive at the Euro and come far again.

Everyone's plans were thwarted by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Of course, we are all sorry that a virus has appeared that, among other things, has affected the football calendar in the same way. However, for Croatia as well as for others - I don't think it will be too much of a problem. It remains to be seen what the situation will be with the fans because Croatia is used to playing with great support from the stands.

How do you view the opponents who await Croatia at the Euros?

Whoever qualifies for the big competition is a serious team. England and Croatia are the favorites on paper. England is the host and is of very high quality, and Croatia is a World Cup finalist. But the Czech Republic is a team that plays well in the final tournaments, and whoever comes as the fourth team in the group will also be a tough opponent. Still, of course, I see Croatia as one of the passengers in the next round.

As an extremely successful striker, how do you rate Croatia's center forwards today?

The strikers are certainly among the most important figures on the pitch for any team. Football has changed a lot; there are not so many traditional "nines" but the striker is expected to work a lot for the team, cooperate and open the space with wings that score a lot of goals. Still, it’s important to have a striker who can score from nothing. I think that Croatia has excellent solutions in the attack in Petkovic and Kramaric, and we shouldn't be worried about that position.

You can read the full interview on the HNS website. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

July 14, 2020 - The captain of the Croatian national football team, Luka Modric, played all 90 minutes in Real Madrid's away victory against Granada, which was a pertinent win in their fight for the Spanish title.

HRT writes that two rounds before the end of the championship, Real is four points ahead of Barcelona, and in three days in Madrid, they will have the opportunity to secure the 34th Spanish title by winning against Villarreal.

Luka Modric received special praise for his first half against Granada, in which he conducted the game from the midfield, served his teammates accurately, and was timely in defense.

"Where the greats fall and score hard, he assisted two goals in the first 15 minutes. Zidane placed him behind Benzema and placed Casemiro as a guard for the Croat and the winger. This proved to be a complete hit as Granada spent the first half hour, during which Real scored both goals to win, hunting for shadows. Modric led the game from foot to foot, and by circling the ball quickly and precisely, he made for an elusive opponent," Marca wrote about Modric's play against Granada.

Along with Courtois, Ramos and Benzema, Modric received three stars for his performance.

MARCA: Someone needs to get Modric a new Real Madrid contract... and fast. Members of the old guard, like Ramos & Benzema, have been integral, but none stood out more than Luka on Monday night. Another vintage display & not far from his Ballon d'Or best. pic.twitter.com/AZIzvLIFFi

— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) July 14, 2020

"The veteran was the best among the penalty areas. He entered the game brilliantly, which he proved by assisting both of Real's early goals. He was great with and without the ball. In the second half, when he was expected to fall under the pressure of years (34), he read the game best and was characterized by freshness. He looks great and is definitely back," added Marca.

"Modric may not be in the form he was in 2018 when he won the Ballon d'Or, but he is not far away. The 34-year-old played the game as in his best days at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes and may have pushed the decision of the Real Board of Directors. If his contract is not extended next year, he will leave Real," Marca wrote in an article entitled, "Someone should give Modric a new contract .. and quickly". 

Similarly, AS wrote that Modric was Real's best player, especially in the first half:

"He looked impressive and brilliant in every action with the ball in his feet. We are talking about a man who is practically 35 years old, but obviously has inexhaustible energy. "

Modric is Magic, Modric is timeless, Modric is simply a GOAT ?

— OMAR. (@Omaaar96) July 13, 2020

Real coach Zinedine Zidane gave Modric a slightly more offensive role in this match, the Croatian captain played right behind Karim Benzema.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

July 10, 2020 - The president of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), Davor Suker, said in an interview with the Spanish sports newspaper AS that he would look for players of Croatian origin around the world that could play for the Croatia national team.

"We have a lot of big projects along the way, including organizing competitions for Croatian footballers in the USA, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Australia and other countries with a strong Croatian diaspora. Compared to Germany, Spain, France, Italy or England, we have a small population, so we need to identify all talented Croatian players, in all corners of the world," said Suker on HRT, noting that he is focused on current work in HNS and that he "enjoys his position", and is also focused on working in the Executive Board of the European Football Association (UEFA), so he is not thinking about changing jobs.

The former striker of Sevilla and Real Madrid thinks that it would be good for the captain of the national team, Luka Modric, to play fewer games at his club next season so that he could come to the European Championship in June 2021 fresh and ready.

"For us in Croatia, it would be good for Luka to come to the Euros with 35 to 40 games played instead of 55 to 60. The next season, with a full calendar, will be challenging for everyone. At this point in his career, I think he would be better off not playing all the games," Suker said.

Modric has made 36 appearances for Real Madrid so far this season. By the end of the championship, there are four games left and the return match of the last-16 of the Champions League against Manchester City. The Madrid club lost at home in the first round 1-2. Modric will turn 35 in two months and is the oldest player at Real Madrid. His contract with the leading team of the Spanish championship expires in a year. Asked whether Real Madrid would extend his contract after June 30, 2021, Suker replied:

"That is not my decision, and I respect Luka and Real very much to suggest something to them. Luka is a phenomenon, he will turn 35 in September, he has won everything in his career, and he still has the same ambition, passion and hunger for football like a young player. Luka takes good care of his body and continues to show first-class football on the pitch. I believe Real Madrid respects that and appreciates everything he has done there over the years. Therefore, I believe that he will have a place for him as long as he plays at this level," said Suker.

The vice-captain of the Croatian national team, Ivan Rakitic, will have his contract with Barcelona expire in a year. Suker was asked if the Catalan club was unfair to the 32-year-old midfielder because he was deprived of his place in the starting lineup this season, while speculations about his possible sale are ongoing.

"I do not participate in the daily activities of Barcelona, ​​so I cannot judge whether Ivan was treated unfairly, only he knows that. I know he is proud to wear the Barca jersey and always gives his best. He has more than 300 appearances for Barca, has won many trophies, and has been a key player in many important matches. In addition, he is a great worker on the pitch, is focused on the team, has leadership skills and never creates problems in the dressing room. I believe that all coaches and clubs are more than happy to have such a player," Suker replied.

Last month, Rakitic said that he wanted to play more at Barcelona, ​​where he has been since the summer of 2014, and to stay there as long as possible.

"At this stage of his career, after everything he has won, it is normal that he wants to play and not sit on the bench. If he can play in Barcelona, ​​I believe that will remain his first option. But if Ivan and Barcelona feel that the time has come to take a new step, which is normal in football, I do not doubt that he will be a great reinforcement for any big club because he still has a lot of good football left in him," Suker believes.

Rakitic has played in 39 games for the current champion Barcelona, ​​which currently holds second place in the championship.

"If he leaves Barcelona, ​​he will be proud of the time he spent there because it was six great years. When you spend your best years playing for a big club and winning big trophies, it means that you have managed your career well," said the president of HNS.

Suker played for Sevilla as a striker from 1991 to 1996 and then moved to Real Madrid, where he remained until 1999.

To conclude, it was announced on Thursday by HRT that Zlatko Dalic will lead the national team until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The president of the Croatian Football Federation and Dalic have officially agreed on a new contract for two years and five months.

This has yet to be confirmed by the HNS Executive Board, which will meet later this month, but it should only be a formality.

Dalic was supposed to lead Croatia at the Euros in 2020, and as it was postponed for a year, he decided to stay at least until then. His existing contract ended in the summer, and he had rich offers from China and Arab countries.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

June 27, 2020 - The Croatia national team will return this September for their first game in 10 months. 

UEFA announced the exact schedule for the Nations League competition on Friday. HRT reports that the Croatia national team, who will play in group A3, will open the competition with a visit to the defending champions Portugal on September 5 at 20:45. It will be the first game for the 'Vatreni' after a 10-month break.

Zlatko Dalic's team will be tested for the second time in this competition on September 8 against the 2018 World Champions, France, also played away. In the third round, Croatia will meet Sweden at home on October 11 (at 18:00), and three days later, they will play against France again, but at home (20:45).

In the fifth round, on November 14, Croatia will play against Sweden (20:45), and the competition will end on November 17 at home, where they will meet Portugal (20:45).

The winner of the first edition of the Nations League was Portugal. The winner of the UEFA competition wins 7.5 million euro, and each participant in League A will receive 1.5 million euro, while in the lower leagues (groups B, C and D) the prize pool is slightly lower. The total prize pool has increased from 76.25 million to 81.5 million euro because there are now 16 teams in the A league, not just 12.

You can find the full match schedule in the elite class of the Nations League below. 

LEAGUE A
Group 1
Round 1 - September 4
Italy - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Netherlands - Poland
Round 2 - September 7
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Poland
Netherlands - Italy
Round 3 - October 11
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Netherlands
Poland - Italy
4 Round - October 14
Italy - Netherlands
Poland - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Round 5 - November 15
Italy - Poland
Netherlands - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Round 6 - November 18
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Italy
Poland - Netherlands
Group 2
Round 1 - September 5:
Iceland - England
Denmark - Belgium
Round 2 - September 8:
Belgium - Iceland
Denmark - England
Round 3 - October 11
England - Belgium
Iceland - Denmark
Round 4 - October 14
England - Denmark
Iceland - Belgium
Round 5 - November 15
Belgium - England
Denmark - Iceland
Round 6 - November 18
Belgium - Denmark
England - Iceland
Group 3
Round 1 - September 5
Portugal - CROATIA
Sweden - France
Round 2 - September 8
France - CROATIA
Sweden - Portugal
Round 3 - October 11
CROATIA - Sweden
France - Portugal
Round 4 - October 14
CROATIA - France
Portugal - Sweden
Round 5 - November 14
Portugal - France
Sweden - CROATIA
Round 6 - November 17
CROATIA - Portugal
France - Sweden

Group 4
Round 1 - September 3
Germany - Spain
Ukraine - Switzerland
Round 2 - September 6
Spain - Ukraine
Switzerland - Germany
Round 3 -
Spain - Switzerland
Ukraine - Germany
Round 4 -
Germany - Switzerland
Ukraine - Spain
Round 5 -
Germany - Ukraine
Switzerland - Spain
Round 6 -
Spain - Germany
Switzerland - Ukraine
NOTE: The group winners will play in the final tournament

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

June 15, 2020 - Luka Modric revealed plans for his future to the Italian Gazzetta.

Gol.hr reports that the captain of the Croatia national team, Luka Modric, said in an interview with the newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport that he would play at a high level for another two years, and then attend a coaching course.

"I am sure I can play at a high level for another two years, after that we will see. I would like to finish my career at Real Madrid, but it will also depend on the club. After that, I will attend a coaching course," Modric said.

The midfielder is the oldest in the Real Madrid dressing room at the age of 34, and his contract expires in a year, on June 30, 2021.

"I feel like a normal person who loves modesty and moderation. I am persistent. My teammates in Madrid call me 'vinagre' (vinegar) because I do not accept defeat in training," said the Croatian captain.

He said that he would continue to play for Croatia, which is expected to play in the European Championships next summer.

"For us, the national team is more than football. As a player, and a coach, I would be honored to be there," he noted.

Last year, the media speculated about his possible departure to Milan when Zvonimir Boban, the former captain of the Croatia national team, was the director there. Still, Real Madrid and Boban himself said that there was nothing to that story.

"Boban was my idol when I was a boy, and I bought a red and black jersey because of him. I imagined myself a Milan player, but in the end, my path was different. And when you come to Real Madrid, you don't think about going to other clubs. If things didn't go well in Madrid, I would consider the Italian league. But, honestly, my only priority has always been Real Madrid," said Modric.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

June 6, 2020 - Ivan Rakitic opens up about how he feels at Barcelona and whether we will watch him in the Croatia jersey at the Euros next year.

On this day five years ago, Ivan Rakitic lived some of the most beautiful moments of his football career. Namely, in the Berlin final of the Champions League, he scored the first goal in the 3:1 victory against Juventus, which was the crown of an excellent first season with the Catalan giant. 

The 32-year-old Croatia national team member and assistant captain who has already collected 106 appearances and 15 goals, just like all football players in Spain, is counting down the days until the season continues. 

During intense training, Ivan Raktitic found the time to sit down with T.portal to talk about everything going on in the famous footballer's world today. 

First and foremost, football is back. How hard was it to keep fit in home isolation and then come to workouts, where there was to be no physical contact?

"It was hard; it was hard. At least, we all know we are in the same situation. It was especially difficult in the first 15, 20 days, because you had to find motivation, go to the gym, run, ride a bike. It was hard to motivate yourself when you were cut off, without a teammate. But I think I can say that I made great use of this time, I worked a lot, I feel fantastic and I feel it was maybe the best training in the past few years," he said at the beginning of the interview. 

Despite all the problems due to isolation, did you make good use of your time with your daughters and wife?

"Yes, of course, because otherwise we players travel a lot, so we made the most of this time to have some fun, to be together. Although there were difficult and unpleasant days. Because for more than two months, we were not allowed to leave the house at all. Still, we hung out even more with the kids, and to me, it’s always a pleasure."

We know you speak Spanish, but did you perhaps teach your wife and daughters Croatian?

"My wife even speaks Croatian quite well, and she more or less understands everything. Especially when our famous society is together, when she relaxes, then she speaks. And the kids a little less, because they go to a French school, where they learn both French and English and German. Of course, Spanish is their first language, but they also know a lot of Croatian words."

You took them to Croatia, but were your daughters in Möhlin, Switzerland, where you lived as a child?

"They have been to Croatia several times already; I wanted to show them all the beauties of Lijepa Naša. We haven't been to Switzerland in a while, but we talked about it recently and when the opportunity arises, we would like to go again, to show them a lot of things because Switzerland also has a lot of beautiful places, completely different from those in Spain."

On this day five years ago, you scored a goal in the Champions League final in Berlin, in a 3:1 victory against Juventus. It was a magical end to the first season at the big club. This is probably one of your favorite goals in your career.

"Both that year and the year before, when I reached the Europa League title with Sevilla, were special. With that game and that goal, I put an end to a really great period. That trophy was something amazing and of course, I am extremely proud of that goal. But God willing, more games in the Champions League will be played this season, so let's try to reach that title again."

Unfortunately, five years later, the situation around your status at the club is not clear. We know you would like to stay, but what does the club think?

"More or less, since I’ve been here, the same situation is always presented and my status is talked about. Now everything is clear to me, because ten, fifteen days ago we talked very specifically in the club and the agreement is that we have nothing to talk about - I have a contract (until the summer of 2022) with Barcelona, ​​and it is a club where I want to be and play. Also, I am in Barcelona with my wife and kids and it’s nice to live here, so I have no reason to think about other things. I’ve been training well these days, I feel good and I’m confident the Rakete will be in Barcelona for a while longer."

We know that no player is comfortable when he doesn't play as much as he thinks he deserves, and that happened to you during the first part of the season. Did any of your teammates call you and provide support?

"Of course. First of all, it’s not nice when you’re not playing. Especially when you don't understand why. And when they don't want to explain the reasons to you. Of course, I respect it if the coach decides on other players. That's why we are in a team sport, not an individual sport. The problem was that they didn't want to or didn't know how to explain the reasons to me. That was my fault. But that's why I had the support of my teammates, coach Dalic, which made it even easier for me to bear it all. And I am really grateful to them all. Because of all this, I feel overjoyed to have them with me."

At one point, you said that you don’t want the leaders of Barcelona to treat you like a sack of potatoes, that is, that you will find your own club if you need to leave.

"By that, I just meant that I could be talked to about everything. Because I never want anything by force. I want to deserve everything, let everything be as it should be. Because I always take the fair route, I don’t hide anything. I think I showed my character with that. I will never have a problem with that if we sit down, talk, find a common solution. I signed my contract with the desire to fulfill it to the end, but if for any reason it cannot be fulfilled or someone else has different thoughts, you just need to sit down and talk. And that was my only thought when I said that. But now it’s all settled, so I’m calm and happy. And I train more than ever."

Your position is clear - you want to stay in Barcelona.

"As you know, in football everything happens very fast, a lot of things change in a little time. So even now, this situation with the virus has changed a lot. I think the most important thing is to think about the present moment, and that means we are starting the championship next weekend. We must be ready for that too. With the years I have, I think I have proven that and that football is most important to me. I simply want to be happy and enjoy. And that means winning a lot more trophies with Barcelona."

Which is more important to you, Barcelona or Croatia?

"I have a lot of respect for my club, but the Croatia national team is more important to me. Of course, we all follow the rhythm of the clubs where we get paid. But of course, above all, Croatia is mine."

I ask that because if you stay in Barcelona, ​​maybe you would have a season like at the beginning of this one, so you would be without adequate minutes, which would be a problem for Croatia.

"It doesn't have to be that way, does it? But if that happens, then I will analyze the situation at the right time. I never wanted to be selfish and think only about myself or what I would have to or what would suit me, but I always think about what is best for the national team and Croatia, and that is best for me. So there is no doubt about it, I am very calm. And I can’t wait to get together, to fight for our colors, our jersey, our people. It’s always special, different."

At the beginning of April, you did not want to confirm that you were going to the Euros, although we know that you love Croatia very much, and then you said that you had to talk to coach Dalic.

"When I said I wanted to talk to the coach, I said it because I have a very good relationship with him, we know each other well, we understand each other well. And I think there must always be some kind of communication between us. So there are no doubts, it is an honor for me to play for the national team and every time it is my first."

Have you perhaps talked to him in the meantime?

"Yes, we talk every now and then, about the whole situation, about all that. But now all of us are thinking about club events. Because, unfortunately, because of the corona, the Euros were canceled, the national team matches were canceled. The most important thing is that we are in touch, that we are all healthy, that we can train normally, because there will certainly not be too much of a break this summer. From one season we will very soon go to a new one. It will be a meaningful football summer, which is new for all of us, but I repeat, the most important thing is that we all do great."

So you're going to the Euros next summer, unless there are some extraordinary circumstances?

"I hope nothing will attack me in the meantime, ha, ha. There is no doubt because all of us from this great generation has shown that we have excellent communication. I must also emphasize that I have a very good relationship with the coach, we are open to each other and there will be no problems."

In an interview for T.portal before the World Cup in Russia, you left the possibility open that this could be your last national team cycle. But as you have already extended your term in the national team, perhaps it would be best to conclude it with the next World Cup, in Qatar in 2022?

"Ha, ha… Who knows, maybe it won't be until 2024. You never know. But the most important thing to me is that I can talk to the coach at any time, as I did after the World Cup in Russia. I also talked to my family, to my wife and I came to the decision that I wanted to continue. There are a lot of games ahead of us, we just need to enjoy so we continue to be real."

You can read the full interview here.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow. TCN's dedicated page.

May 28, 2020 - Marin Pongracic played two great games in the space of only four days for German club Wolfsburg.

Gol.hr reports that in the last four days, the future stopper of the Croatia national team, Marin Pongracic, presented himself in a phenomenal way to the German and international football public. In his fifth appearance for Wolfsburg, he scored two of four goals in a big 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Pongracic scored twice by a header, but many may have been even more surprised by his significant reactions in defense, where he was faced with two hellish attackers, the best in the league.

Recall, just four days earlier, Wolfsburg welcomed Borussia Dortmund and was defeated 2-0. But Pongracic played great in that match and made Erling Haaland, the Norwegian attacking sensation who has scored 41 goals in the Austrian and German leagues so far this season, completely invisible.

He did the same last night to Kai Havertz, who scored 14 goals this season for Bayer.

Man of the hour ⭐

On only his fifth Bundesliga appearance, 22-year-old centre-back, Marin Pongracic, leads Wolfsburg to victory with two headed goals ?#B04WOB 1-4 pic.twitter.com/6d4DY8QLyV

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) May 26, 2020

"The man of the game! In just the fifth appearance, 22-year-old stopper Marin Pongracic led Wolfsburg to victory with two headers," reads the Bundesliga announcement on social media.

During the match against Borussia, Pongracic achieved a sprint speed of as much as 34 km / h, which is only two km / h less than the Bundesliga record held by Achraf Hakimi.

Pongracic arrived in Wolfsburg in January for 10 million euro from Salzburg, Austria. Born in Landshut, Germany and of Croatian descent, Pongracic joined the Croatia U17 team in 2014 after he was called up for training camp. 

Marin’s senior football career began in 2016 for 1860 Munich II, following by a season with 1860 Munich, and 34 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg, before joining Wolfsburg in 2020. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

May 16, 2020 - While Brazil is the largest exporter of footballers, Croatia ranks in ninth place, according to the International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) based in Neuchatel, Switzerland.

Namely, 24 Sata reports that in its 55th monthly report, the CIES Football Observatory analyzed the contribution of footballers by country. They analyzed the origins of 55,865 footballers who played during the 2019 calendar year in 132 first or second leagues from 93 countries covering all continents.

Thus, the biggest exporter of footballers is Brazil. As many as 1,535 Brazilian footballers played abroad last year. In second place is France, which has 948 footballers outside the country. Argentina holds third place with 913 footballers.

Argentina is followed by England (554), Spain (525), Serbia (514), Germany (473) and Colombia (457).

Croatia comes in ninth place with 430 footballers who played abroad last year, and Uruguay is in the top 10 (358).

Let's add that four African countries are in the top 20. Nigeria is in 11th place (365 footballers), Ghana is in 14th place (283), Senegal is in 18th place (191), and Ivory Coast is in 20th place (178).

Brazil is also the most represented country among the players from the 132 leagues studied. Last year, as many as 2,742 Brazilians played football - 1,207 in the first two classes of Brazilian football, and 1,535 abroad.

Just one other country had more than 2,000 footballers in 132 leagues analyzed - Argentina. Namely, in 2019, Argentina was represented by 2,330 players. In third place is the French (1,740), and in the top five are Colombia (1,536) and Spain (1,349).

In terms of the total number of footballers who play in the First HNL and other countries in the world, Croatia is in 13th place with 993 footballers. 

Top 10 countries by the number of footballers playing abroad:
1. Brazil - 1,535
2. France - 948
3. Argentina - 913
4. England 554
5. Spain 525
6. Serbia 514
7. Germany 473
8. Colombia 457
9. CROATIA 430
10. Uruguay 358

Top 10 countries by the number of players:
1. Brazil - 2,742
2. Argentina - 2,330
3. France - 1,740
4. Colombia - 1,536
5. Spain - 1,349
6. Serbia - 1,337
7. England - 1,228
8. Germany - 1,096
9. Japan - 1,047
10. Netherlands - 1,039
11. Russia - 1,029
12. Uruguay - 1,014
13. CROATIA - 993 

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