The left-back discovered his goal-scoring touch in the Premier League and now has his sights set on glory with his country in Germany
Josko Gvardiol leans forward and casts his mind back to when he was a teenager and when he realised he had a real chance to become a professional footballer. He had been in the youth ranks of Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb since he was a child, but when he got to the B team, he realised he was just one step away. And he knew it was the time to knuckle down.
A friend of his father Tihomir, who had been an amateur footballer and earned a living selling fish at a market, drew Gvardiol a mental map plotting the road to success. He put it on his bedroom wall to remind him what it took to realise his dream and to focus on the things that matter.
"It is a small map at the moment. It's framed on the wall, it's just something I used to look at, it's written that we should be more focused on our work, our family and friends," Gvardiol tells GOAL in an exclusive interview, via adidas.
"Because the fact is we spend a lot of time on social media, on our phones and computers. It’s sad because when I was younger I couldn't wait to finish school and get on the playground with my friends. I wouldn't say that's the reason I’m successful, it’s one of the reasons. You need to be aware of that, every day you need to try to push yourselves to the limit."
Getty 'Everything happened so quickly'
Gvardiol has certainly had success. At the age of 22, he has won the Premier League title, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the DFB-Pokal twice. He has played in the final of the FA Cup and the semi-finals of a World Cup.
There is plenty more to look forward to, beginning with the European Championship in Germany next month. But when he was growing up in Zagreb and seeing the mental map each day, Gvardiol was not looking too far ahead, and he encourages young aspiring footballers to do the same.
"When I was 17 or 18 and I realised there was a possibility to be a professional I didn't think that one day I was going to play for Man City, to compete in a World Cup or Euros. My goal was just to become a player of Dinamo Zagreb and everything happened so quickly. I didn't have that much time to think about it," he says.
"At one point I realised 'OK this is the moment I need to take it seriously', and that's what I did. All I want to say is that kids shouldn't be focused on making it, they should be focused on having fun with friends and kicking the ball. Of course kids have dreams, probably they're going to look up to me. It's nice to see that. But they should be more focused on enjoying their time with family and friends. The rest will come sooner or later."
adidas is continuing its ambition to help disarm negative pressure in sport, with the new campaign motivating football icons with a rallying cry: ‘You Got This’. The campaign is headlined by a film which aims to inspire next-gen athletes to overcome pressure and help fuel their love of the beautiful game.
AdvertisementGetty Sticking together
Young kids in Croatia will not be the only ones looking at Gvardiol this summer. When Croatia play in a major tournament, the whole country stops what they’re doing. And the team never fail to whip up a storm when the world is watching, providing a constant riddle for football fans and pundits.
How can a country which has only been independent since 1991, with a population of less than four million people – half the size of London – be so successful, finishing as World Cup runners-up in 2018 and reaching two global semi-finals?
"We are so small, you can't compare us with England, France or other countries. I cannot give you the right answer. All I know is we stick together, we support each other, the whole nation gives us a huge support, that's one of the reasons why we are what we are," Gvardiol explains.
GettyIn awe of Modric
Captain Luka Modric put it best when he said: "Playing for Croatia is sacred for us. It’s an indescribable kind of love."
Gvardiol’s eyes light up at the mention of Modric, who has been playing for Croatia for 18 years and is still the heartbeat of the team at the age of 38. Euro 2024 will be his ninth international tournament and most likely his last. Although, as Gvardiol is at pains to point out: "You never know with this guy."
"When I see Luka Modric at that age giving everything for our jersey, for me as the youngest I feel like if he can do that, then I need to do even more than him. He's definitely one of the reasons for the young generation to push us even more," he says.
"I appreciate every time we are there together with him. He's one of the best in the world. We are all so proud of him and what he has done. We need to take the chance while he's still here with us and learn as much as possible from him."
GettyDebut to remember
Gvardiol has had to face down pressure throughout his career and find ways to cope with it. He had to use those tools to keep a level head in the Premier League title race, when City were obliged to win their final nine matches to see off Arsenal and claim a historic fourth consecutive league crown.
"It's the Premier League, the best league in the world, the rhythm is tough, the other teams, the opponents are tough as well. Every game is a new final, especially at the end of the season. There's no room for mistakes," he explains.
Playing for Croatia from such a young age prepared Gvardiol for what awaited him at City, as there is no pressure like playing for your country. Especially when that country is Croatia.
There was enormous pressure ahead of his competitive debut against England at Wembley at the last European Championship, when, at the age of 19, he became the youngest player to represent Croatia at a major tournament.
"I remember that day for sure, from the way to the stadium. We like to play some Croatian songs before the game and before the kick-off, and I remember sitting in the bus listening to the music and I just couldn't believe that I was about to face England at the age of 19," he recalls.
"I knew that I'd be coming up against Kyle Walker and Phil Foden on my side. There was pressure, that's something we face every day no matter if it's on the pitch or in real life, at home. The thing was I knew how to deal with it so from the kick-off, the very first minute, I switched my mindset and I started to be me.
"When I step on the pitch all I think about is winning the game. We represent our country, those colours on our jersey mean everything to us and as soon as the game starts we just think about our country, our nation. There is pressure, but when you hear the whistle from the referee, everything changes."