What the masked Croatian player said about Lionel Messi and how was the play the world is talking about

If Guardiolthe masked player of the Croatia national teamwas, until yesterday, the revelation defender of the Qatar World Cup. Nevertheless, his physical strength and his youth could do nothing against the talent of Lionel MessiThe best player in the world.

In the play of the third goal for the Albiceleste, Gvardiol was almost a luxury spectator. From the middle of the field he tried to stop Lionel Messi and could never: the Argentine captain did what he wanted. He faked it, dribbled it and overflowed it to throw the center back and give the assist for Julián Álvarez’s goal.

Also read: Luka Modric thanked the Argentine fans and surrendered to Messi: “I hope I win this World Cup”

For the first time, Gvardiol faced Lionel Messi and ended up as the clear loser.

Months ago, the 20-year-old Croatian defender, who appears in Real Madrid’s plans, had surrendered at Messi’s feet and said that he was the best footballer in the world.

In an interview with the official channel of Leipzig, the team that owns his pass, he had declared himself a fan of the Argentine captain: “I was always a super ultra fan of Messi. When I was younger, there was always (the debate) about Messi and Ronaldo. And although most of the people in my room were Ronaldo’s, I was like: ‘no, I’m going to say Messi’”, explained the defender.

Beyond not having had a great game against the Argentine National Team, nothing will overshadow the great World Cup of Josko Gvardiol, the defender who was danced by Lionel Messi, his idol.

Josko Gvardiol, the Croatian of 100 million: he had a destiny as a fisherman and today they call him the new Sergio Ramos

If Guardiol he had a destiny as a fisherman, but soccer offered him another path. At barely 20 years old, he is an undisputed figure of Croatiawho this Tuesday started in the defeat of Croatia against the Argentine National Team for the semifinals of Qatar World Cup 2022.

His personality, power and solidity as a central defender earned him comparisons with Sergio Ramos. And he could follow in the footsteps of the historic Spanish defender: the Real Madrid would disburse a figure close to 100 million dollars to hire him.

During this World Cup, Gvardiol was one of the highest points in Croatia. He is an irreplaceable piece in the defense of his team, which, along with Morocco, is the only one that continues to compete without losing even a game. He had key saves and stood out in difficult matches such as the goalless draw against Belgium, in the group stage, and the 1-1 draw against Brazil, in the quarterfinals.

It is easy to locate him on the field of play: he has a black mask that protects his face. It is that, a little less than two weeks after the start of the contest, he suffered a violent clash with his teammate from Leipzig Willi Orban. As a result of the impact, he broke his nose and his eye turned purple.

Whatever happens with Croatia in the final stretch of the World Cup, everything indicates that Gvardiol will make a big leap in the next transfer window. In the last transfer window, the Leipzig rejected 80 million dollars. Real Madrid has him in the folder and an eventual transfer would be around 100 million dollars, which would make him the most expensive defender in history.

Josko Gvardiol: from his destiny as a fisherman to success in football

Josko Gvardiol was born on January 23, 2002 in Zagreb.capital of Croatia. His father, Tihomir, led a hard life as a fisherman.: he would go out to work with his rod during the night and then go to sell the fresh fish at the market the next morning. That was the first choice of life for young Josko, who He admitted that he planned to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, the ball got in the way of that fate and offered another option.

Also read: Richarlison’s story: from dodging bullets in the favela to the controversial dream of filling an island with women

He got his start in football at Tresnjevka, a modest team from his hometown. When he was just seven years old, he was discovered by one of the most important clubs in the country: the Dinamo Zagrebwho did not hesitate to add him to his lower divisions so that he could start training.

What happened to many footballers happened to him: over the years, he changed positions on the field. He was first a midfielder, then he went on to play as a left back and, finally, he established himself as a central defender. Without losing the good technique and the ability to pass the ball of a midfielder, he acquired the power and solidity characteristic of a defender.

“He can play as a left back, although he mainly stands out as a centre-back. He has shown that he is a player who attacks and brings a lot of quality, but also offers great power and energy on defensesomething that is really impressive”, explained Zlatko Dalictechnical director of the Croatian national team.

They are debut in First It came on October 18, 2019 at the age of 17, when he entered 42 minutes into the second half in the 4-2 victory against HNK Gorica, for the Croatian championship. His debut as a starter came on February 23: he was part of the central duo and celebrated the 3-2 win against NK Inter Zapresic. Since then, he has never left the starting eleven, alternating in different positions in defense.

Also read: Achraf Hakimi took the penalty that eliminated Spain: from poverty in Madrid to playing for the country of his parents

“I was in the cadet and I thought it was so good that I uploaded it directly with me to the branch. He was 16 years old and was already playing in the second division. The workload was very heavy, but I could handle it. We quickly realized that he was going to be a ‘top’ centre-back”, recalled one of his soccer parents. Igor Jovicevicwho was then in charge of Dinamo Zagreb under 19.

Josko Gvardiol: jump to a top league in Europe and an uncertain future

It only took him a few months to impress the Leipzig from the Bundesligawho closed his transfer in September 2020 in exchange for 19 million dollars, although he left him on loan at the Croatian club for a year. In that time, Gvardiol won the local league title and played as a left back in the 2020-21 Croatian Cup final, beating NK Istra 1961 6-3. In addition, he reached the quarterfinals of the Europa Leaguewhere he was eliminated against Villarreal, who would be crowned champion.

His first game at Leipzig came on August 20, when he played on the left wing in the 4-0 win against Stuttgart, for the local tournament. In the first season of him, he was left out of the Champions League in the group stage. The revenge was the following year: opened the scoring in the remembered 3-2 victory against Real Madrid on the fifth date and led the classification to the round of 16.

In that instance, the German team will face the Manchester City Pep Guardiola next February 22 and March 23. However, it is not certain that Gvardiol is present. It is that, after the World Cup, the transfer market will begin and several European giants have already laid their eyes on him. The last to appear was nothing more and nothing less than Real Madrid, although they are also in the bid Arsenal y Chelsea.

“Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, so who knows, maybe one day I can play there. I would like, yes. Luka (Modric) doesn’t have to tell me anything about Madrid, it’s not necessary…”, said Gvardiol, who has a contract with Leipzig until 2027.