Joško Gvardiol broke through at Dinamo Zagreb as a teenager and was quickly marked out as one of Europe’s best young defenders. RB Leipzig signed him in 2021, and in two seasons in Germany he won the DFB-Pokal twice.
His profile rose sharply at the 2022 World Cup, where he played in a protective mask after a facial injury and helped Croatia reach the semi-finals and finish third. Manchester City paid a fee reported at around £77 million to sign him in 2023, making him one of the most expensive defenders ever.
Pep Guardiola used him mainly at left-back, where his willingness to carry the ball forward produced goals as well as clean sheets; he scored several important goals in City’s 2023/24 title run. Gvardiol is equally comfortable at centre-back, where his left foot and recovery pace give City balance.
Playing style
Gvardiol is a rare defender who is equally effective at centre-back and left-back. He is powerful, quick over distance and very strong in one-on-one duels, but it is his work with the ball that sets him apart. He carries it forward confidently, links with midfielders and is not afraid to shoot, which is why he scores more than most defenders. In a back three or four he gives his team a left-footed option who can start attacks as well as stop them.
International career
Gvardiol made his senior Croatia debut in 2021 and quickly became a starter. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar he played every match wearing a protective mask and was named in several teams of the tournament as Croatia finished third. He also played in the 2023 UEFA Nations League final, which Croatia lost to Spain on penalties, and at Euro 2024.
Career in numbers
Since his first senior season in 2019/20, Gvardiol has made 269 club appearances and scored 23 goals in all competitions for 3 clubs. His most productive season in front of goal was 2024/25, when he scored 6 times in 55 games for Manchester City. So far in 2026/27 he has 1 goal in 7 appearances for Manchester City. The full season-by-season record is in the Stats section of this profile.