Mateo Kovačić, a highly skilled football player from Croatia, has made a significant impact during his time at Manchester City.
He was born on May 6, 1994, in Linz, Austria, to Croatian parents, and began his professional career at Dinamo Zagreb, catching the attention of top European clubs.
In 2013, Kovačić made the move to Inter Milan, marking his entrance into Serie A, one of the most prestigious leagues in Europe.
His exceptional performances led to a transfer to Real Madrid in 2015, where he had the opportunity to play under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane.
Despite facing tough competition from world-class midfielders, Kovačić’s technical skills, vision, and strong work ethic established him as a versatile and reliable player.
In 2019, he joined Chelsea FC and quickly became an integral part of the team.
He is renowned for his ability to dictate the pace of the game, contribute defensively, and occasionally make attacking runs.
His time at Chelsea has been marked by numerous accolades, including winning the Premier League and FA Cup titles.
On the international stage, Mateo Kovačić has played a crucial role for the Croatian national team.
He was instrumental in their journey to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, where they finished as runners-up.
His consistent performances have solidified his reputation as one of Croatia’s top football talents.
REAL FACTS ABOUT MATEO KOVACIC
FULL NAME: Mateo Kovačić
DATE OF BIRTH: 6 May 1994
PLACE OF BIRTH: Linz, Austria
NATIONALITY: Croatian
OCCUPATION: Football Player
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Mateo Kovačić, born on May 6, 1994, in Linz, Austria, to Bosnian Croat parents, Stipo Kovačić and Ružica Kovačić, experienced a significant impact on his early life due to his family’s relocation from Zabrđe before the Yugoslav Wars.
Despite being born in Austria, Kovačić strongly identifies as Croatian and was raised in a Catholic household, maintaining his faith.
His football journey commenced in Austria, where he initially played for local clubs.
However, in 2007, he made the decision to move to Croatia and join Dinamo Zagreb’s youth academy.
Similar to many other professional athletes, Kovačić dedicated himself to football training from a young age, prioritizing his athletic development over traditional academic pursuits.
Impressively, by the age of 16, Kovačić had already made his professional debut for Dinamo Zagreb, showcasing his exceptional talent at an early stage.
His family, particularly his father who was a former professional footballer, played a significant role in guiding his career path.
Additionally, Kovačić has two sisters named Katarina Kovačić and Jelena Kovačić.
CAREER
Mateo Kovačić has had an impressive football career that highlights his exceptional talent, versatility, and dedication to the sport.
Let’s take a closer look at his professional journey:
At the age of 13, Kovačić joined Dinamo Zagreb’s youth academy and quickly rose through the ranks.
He made his debut for the first team at the age of 16, showcasing his skills and abilities.
His outstanding performances in Croatia earned him the nickname “The Croatian Xavi,” as he was often compared to the Spanish playmaker due to his exceptional passing and playmaking abilities.
In July 2013, Kovačić made a transfer to Inter Milan for a fee of €11 million. Although his time at Inter had its ups and downs, he displayed moments of brilliance, especially during the 2014-2015 season under the guidance of coach Roberto Mancini.
In July 2015, Kovačić made a move to Real Madrid for a fee of €29 million, joining one of the world’s top clubs.
Playing alongside renowned stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Toni Kroos, he demonstrated his adaptability by excelling in various midfield roles.
During his time at Madrid, he achieved remarkable success, winning three consecutive Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018) and a La Liga title in 2017.
After a successful loan spell, Kovačić joined Chelsea FC on a permanent deal in August 2019.
He quickly became a crucial figure in Chelsea’s midfield, known for his composure, defensive contributions, and attacking support.
His presence has played a significant role in helping Chelsea secure major trophies, including the 2021 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and a Premier League title.
Mateo Kovačić made his debut for the Croatian national team in 2013 and played a crucial role in their journey to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they ended up as the runners-up.
Throughout the tournament, Kovačić showcased his exceptional skills and talent, particularly highlighted by his important goal against Denmark.
This performance solidified his position as a key player for Croatia.
Kovačić is widely recognized for his technical prowess, exceptional vision, and intelligent gameplay, which allows him to excel in both defensive and offensive aspects of the game.
His ability to control the flow of play, disrupt the opposition’s attacks, and initiate counter-attacks has earned him numerous accolades, including multiple appearances in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.
PERSONAL LIFE
Mateo Kovačić and Izabel Andrijanić, now known as Izabel Kovačić, have been married for several years.
They have known each other since their teenage years, with some reports suggesting that they first crossed paths in a church where Izabel was a choir singer and Mateo was around 15 years old.
Their wedding took place in June 2017, and they chose to celebrate their special day in the same church where they first met in Sesvete, Croatia.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Ivan Kovačić, on October 12, 2020.
Excitingly, recent social media posts have hinted that they are expecting their second child, adding to the joy and happiness of their growing family.
