Four Croatians on Guardian’s 100 Best Footballers in the World list
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
UK newspaper The Guardian has again released its annual list of the 100 Best Footballers in the World.
Former players, coaches, and journalists from all over the globe took part and casted their votes for the world’s best player during 2022 with four Croatians making the list this year.
No.5 on the list went to Croatian captain Luka Modrić, who won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid and guided Croatia to 3rd place at the World Cup in Qatar last year.
“We all know how many lovely words have been written about Luka and what he has done, not just for Croatia but the whole world. Age comes to everyone, but he is immortal,” Andrej Kramaric said before Croatia’s last game at the World Cup – but not, fortunately, Modric’s last game for his country. Few could have blamed him for bowing out with a third place in Qatar to go with his runners-up medal from Russia, aged 37 and on 162 caps, having just won a fifth Champions League, but Modric goes on. And that is a joy,” writes Sid Lowe.
Lionel Messi took the No.1 spot, ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland.
Three other Croatians made the list.
At No.31 was World Cup sensation Joško Gvardiol.
“Gvardiol was clearly the best defender at the World Cup and a huge part of Croatia’s surprise snaring of third place in the tournament. Zlatko Dalic’s team are celebrated for their experience but their premier centre-back, who celebrated his 21st birthday this week, pointed the way to a bright future. After years of those in the game lamenting the paucity of top-quality centre-backs a plethora are surfacing, led by Gvardiol, who is the man for any number of situations; strong and composed in a back four or a back three, and more than competent at left-back as well, leaving his club RB Leipzig sitting on a goldmine. A newcomer to this list but set to remain on it for years,” Andy Brassell wrote.
Marcelo Brozović was No. 68 and goal keeper Dominik Livaković was No. 71 on the list.
Marcelo Brozović (Photo credit: Антон Зайцев/Soccer.ru/CC BY-SA 3.0
The Guardian’s 100 Best Footballers in the World
1. Lionel Messi
2. Kylian Mbappe
3. Karim Benzema
4. Erling Haaland
5. Luka Modrić
6. Kevin De Bruyne
7. Robert Lewandowski
8. Vinicius Junior
9. Thibaut Courtois
10. Mohamed Salah
…
31. Joško Gvardiol
…
68. Marcelo Brozović
…
71. Dominik Livaković
You can see the full list HERE.
