Mateo Kovačić

Croatian midfielder known for exceptional dribbling, ball control and Champions League success with Real Madrid, plus World Cup final appearance in 2018

Mateo Kovačić was born in Linz, Austria in 1994 to Croatian parents. Inter Milan signed him from Dinamo Zagreb at 18 — making him Inter's youngest captain in the process. Real Madrid paid £25 million for him in 2015 and he won three Champions Leagues. Chelsea signed him on loan and then permanently. He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and the FA Cup in 2022. Manchester City paid £25 million for him in 2023. His debut City season produced the Premier League title. He reached the 2018 World Cup Final with Croatia. His combination of close dribbling — his ability to maintain possession in tight spaces is exceptional — with pressing intensity and distribution range makes him one of the most valuable midfield players in European football. He accumulated remarkably few yellow cards for a player who engages in as many defensive duels as his statistics suggest. He represented Croatia 103 times across multiple major tournaments.

Box-to-box midfielder known for dribbling, ball retention and driving runs from midfield

Kovačić established himself as one of the most reliable midfielders of his generation, contributing to major tournament successes at both club and international level.

• Champions League 3x (2014,2016,2018)
• Premier League (2023)
• World Cup runner-up (Croatia 2018)
• FA Cup 2018
• Europa League 2019
• Club World Cup 2016
• Club World Cup 2017
• Club World Cup 2018

Club Career

Club	Period	Fee	Apps	Goals	Shirt
Dinamo Zagreb	2013–2013	—	24	2	#4
Chelsea	2018–2023	—	221	6	—
Real Madrid	2015–2019	—	109	6	—
Inter Milan	2013–2015	€11m	60	3	—
Manchester City	2023–2024	€30m	39	4	—
Croatia	—	—	109	7	—