Croatia have produced some absolute superstars in recent decades and their all-time best XI sure looks special!
Croatia have been a force to be reckoned with ever since its recognition as a separate football federation by both FIFA and UEFA.
Modern-day Croatia has been playing competitive international games since 1994, starting with the qualifying campaign for Euro 1996.
They then competed at the World Cup in 1998, finishing third following some superb performances from the legendary Davor Suker, who was the tournament's top goal scorer.
Croatia then enjoyed arguably their finest moment when they reached the World Cup final in 2018.
Many iconic players have featured for the Croatian national team over the years, but which legends make up their all-time best XI?
Let's take a look!
Getty ImagesGK: Stipe Pletikosa
The greatest goalkeeper in Croatian history, Stipe Pletikosa made his international debut in 1999.
He represented the country in five major tournaments and is the third-most capped player in the history of the national team after Darijo Srna and Luka Modric.
Pletikosa made 114 appearances for Croatia between 1999 and 2014 and played at the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and 2014 World Cup.
He retired after his last World Cup game in 2014.
Danijel Subasic will feel disappointed to miss out on the No.1 jersey, but Pletikosa eventually just edged it, with his longevity making the difference.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Darijo Srna
Srna made his debut for Croatia in November 2002 and is the second-most capped international player in the history of Croatian football with 134 appearances.
The right-back featured at Euro 2004, World Cup 2006, Euro 2008, Euro 2012, World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016 for Croatia, scoring 22 goals for the national team between 2002 to 2016.
He was was instated as the captain of the national team in 2009, an honour he held until his retirement from international football in 2016, before Modric became captain.
His consistency, quality on the ball and playing style sometimes earned him comparisons with the legendary Brazilian Cafu.
Željko Hladika / PixsellCB: Dario Simic
One of Croatia's most-beloved defenders of the 1990s, Simic featured in a variety of positions including centre-back, sweeper and full-back.
He was especially known for his immense physical strength and aerial ability.
Simic featured for Croatia between 1996 and 2008, becoming the first player to earn 100 caps for his country.
He was an important member of Croatia's squad for each of the six major tournaments they qualified for during the 1990s and 2000s, including three World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2006) and three Euros (1996, 2004 and 2008).
Getty ImagesCB: Robert Kovac
Brother of renowned manager Niko Kovac, who led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, Robert Kovac is one of the greatest centre-backs in the country's history.
He represented them at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and also participated in Euro 2004 and 2008.
After 84 appearances for Croatia between 1999 and 2009 and captaining the team for a year after Niko's retirement in 2008, Robert retired in 2009.