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Player to Watch: Niko Kranjčar

April 22nd, 2006 | By: Soze | 18 Comments »

Niko
With 48 days left ’till kickoff, I’m gonna start putting up some player profiles. I wrote one already about our very own Brazilian Dudú, so here is one on homegrown talent. Niko Kranjčar is the son of the Selection Trainer, Zlatko. Born in Zagreb and the youngest ever captain of Dinamo at the age if 17, he currently plays for Hajduk, Split where he is the leading scorer.

He is often compared to players like Zidane, Nedved and even C.Ronaldo. These comparisons are not only given by Croatian newspapers, but also by the likes of Juventus, CSKA Moscow and Lyon. I personally think he has the vision on the field as a playmaker and can be compared to them in that regard but his lack of pace differs him greatly from the ‘crossover king’ CR and wizard Zidane.

Niko
His position is midfielder. But contrary to Croatia’s other midfielders who double as defenders, Niko could almost be considered a striker. His preferred position is right behind two strikers and that is where he shines. His play resembles that of our 1998 stars Robert Prosinečki and Aljoša Asanović who were both very creative players. Niko and Dario Srna will be a great team this summer, feeding opportunity to our forewards Dado Pršo and Dudú.

He was born on August 13, 1984 and therefore missed FIFA’s best young player award eligibility by four months. I say he would have been at the top with Messi and C.Ronaldo.

Early into his career, Niko was in the sights of Juventus, Milan and CSKA Moscow, but his dream is to join Barcelona. “I don’t want to go to Russia, it’s just too cold for me.” said Kranjcar. “My dreams have always been of Barcelona. I have always been their fan. Nothing could be greater than stepping out on the Nou Camp turf”.

Kranjcar’s competitive international debut came in Croatia’s opening 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ qualifier against Hungary in Zagreb on 4 September last year – just a month after his 20th birthday - and he went on to appear in all but one of their ten fixtures as they progressed to Germany as European Group 8 winners.
Niko
Niko was also a regular in all national team categories including the U-16 team, which won a bronze medal at the 2001 European championship, U-19 and U-21 teams giving him plenty of experience in tournament play. As I post other player profiles, I hope to show how Niko is at the center of a team that very much resembles the 1998 squad that showed the world what every Croat already knew…we are a small country that is churning out some impressive football talent.

Niko Kranjčar on Wikipedia

Niko Kranjčar FIFA interview (Dec 2005)

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Comments

By Kapcro | April 22nd, 2006 at 8:28 pm

Excellent profile. I was reading about Niko online in an article that says much the same about him. He is big, strong and smart. He should produce some great moments at this cup. I also look forward to the next cup and see him as the nucleus of a great squad. I read a recent interview that his father did and his attitude is one of quiet satisfaction with the team’s progress so far. Soze check out the Croatian Football Federation site at http://www.hns-cff.hr. I was there recently and it has a great synopsis of the history of soccer in Croatia. From the first game played in Croatia by English sailors in a public match in the 1880’s in front of Queen Victoria’s son to our involvement through the decades with the Cup. Check out the picture of “Zvonimir Boban” captain of the Croatian Football team in 1880. The site is also available to view in English for anyone interested. At the site click on English, About CFF and then History, Beginning. Its a great site with fascinating historical facts about the Croatian Football Federation and Croatian soccer.

Posted from United States

By Milan | April 23rd, 2006 at 2:38 am

Very well said. I do believe if Niko and Srna play to their abilities in the world cup the croatian team can go far. WATCH OUT BRAZIL….
IDEMO HRVATI!!!

Posted from Australia

By Weekend’s Best - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog | April 23rd, 2006 at 12:34 pm

[...] You’ll want to tell your friends about Niko Kranjčar, the kid has got game (Croatia Blog) [...]

Posted from United States

By Denis Susac | April 23rd, 2006 at 3:24 pm

Niko kranjcar!! GREAT CROATIAN PLAYER.!! I LOVED THE GOAL HE SCORED AGAINST BRAZIL IN THEIR FRIENDLY!! OH YEAA..
Anyways Croatia has a great team, they dont have many players that have super scoring and dribblind skills. They are the team that just gets the job done by playing 100% Professional Soccer. The team of 1998 was awesome we clearly played better then france. (LUCKY FRENCH POEPLE) and I think we could easly beat brazil in the final if we made it there in 98. Croatia had a squad that was soo talented that brazilians couldnt even copy their playing style. Of course Im talkin about the 98 squad. Davor suker was a real M. superstar, Boban was in AC milan or inter, almost every player was in a huge club like AC MIlan, BARCA, INTER, ARSENAL….

HRVATSKA, YOU GOTTA LOVE IT.

Oh YEA IM SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE WORLD CUP THIS SUMMER . My cousin is going to the Croatia vs Brazil game!!! MAn I wish I could go, I would of given my left nut away for a free ticket. LOL Sorry Just kidding peole in need of a leftnut I was just kidding.

GOOD LUCK TO MY VATRENI BOYZ THIS SUMMER, CROATIAN PRIDE!!

Posted from United States

By Soze | April 23rd, 2006 at 8:04 pm

Milan> Yeah, defenitely if Niko & Srna play like they know how, we will be sucessfull at this WC, but I still think we will loose to Brazil. One just has to be realistic sometimes. So qualifying second in the group will probably give us the Czech’s in the next round. Ouch. A hard team, but Croatia can beat them.

Denis> I also feel that Croatia could have beat Brazil in 98 if it came down to it. That was a great squad and Boban was with AC Milan and I think even the captain.

This years squad is Superb. Strong midfield (Tudor, Srna, Kranjcar) Great Strikers (Prso, Dudu)..Dado scores alot and also his goals all seem to have style.

I would love to go and see a game this summer. I’m flying in some coke bottles from Croatia to see if I can win tickets. lol.

By Kapcro | April 24th, 2006 at 6:18 am

I just read about the injuries to Aussie players and that will wreak some havoc on their preparations. Given Croatia’s height advantage over the Japanese we should control most everything in the air in that matchup. Its looking very good very a second round advance. The midfield should control alot of the play in those two games. The Czechs are beatable and the ages of Nedved and Podborsky could be a key. We’ve got younger legs and our scoring ability might be just enough, depends on our opening play if we get there. Second to Brazil in a final would be a great accomplishment if it happened. Good luck with the coke bottles. Consult the psychic to pick them for you.

Posted from United States

By Soze | April 24th, 2006 at 11:48 pm

Hey, we may be controlling most of everything in the air in the Japan game….but who’s gonna take control on the ground??

Maybe the Aussies are doing the same thing as Brazil. Claiming their players are “injured” so they can rest for the WC…

By Crno Gorac | April 25th, 2006 at 12:33 am

If Croatia are going to do well this tournament, they need Srna and Kranjcar to fire. These boys truly know how to play football.

Posted from Australia

By Kapcro | April 25th, 2006 at 6:09 am

The Aussies are underrated because they have more potential than they’re credited with and may be playing a stealth game with regard to injuries. The next week will tell, but the goalie injury sounds legitimate. If you concede the air game to us that is a possible goal or two and cuts the Japanese offense down 30 to 40%. If Srna and Kranjar have a good game the pressure on the defense will be lessened otherwise Kovac has to run his fanny off. Japan is not a great comeback team and a couple of good corners or crosses might just put them in that position. The ground battle will be fierce no doubt.

Posted from United States

By Soze | April 25th, 2006 at 10:14 am

I agree, the key to the Japan game will be scoring first, in the first 20. Our odds greatly increase of winning with that.

I think Kranjcar will definitely have a good tournament. He is trying to leave Hajduk and a good performance at WC will raise his price and profile and he has a better chance of joining a great team. I would love to see him at AC Milan or Juventus. I dunno yet if there is a spot for him there, but well see after the summer transfers.

Crno’s right…these two need to be on for Croatia to do well. Especially if we wish to pass the second round. I keep playing with that predictor chart to see the possible outcomes. A Croatia vs. Portugal is possible. This is my hope for the final. I’m Croatian, my wife is Portuguese.

By Kapcro | April 25th, 2006 at 11:52 am

I think Niko is too talented not to get picked by a major club. The team looks loose and ready to play and I really like our chances in the first round at this point. That potential Croatia-Portugal sounds like it could cause a split your family. I’m not thinking about your wife, but how’s your mother-in-law? I’m fortunate my wife is Croatian and she’s only rooting for one team. My mother-in-law doesn’t know football from ice hockey and thinks my father-in-law wastes too much time on both.

Posted from United States

By Milan | April 25th, 2006 at 8:10 pm

In a realistic sense the injuries that Australia has suffered are not so bad that their key players will miss the world cup. I believe Kalac will be the number one keeper for Australia due to his strong performances when he has beenstarting for Milan. Schwarzer is a bit on and off at the moment and i do believe he will be on the bench for the first game and possibly most of the tournament. Viduka will be 100% fit and australia most dangerous player. The only concern for them is if kewl reinjuries his groin then Australia will lose their key midfielder and any chance to be able to control the midfield.

Posted from Australia

By Kapcro | April 26th, 2006 at 1:40 pm

I don’t think the Aussies won’t be prepared, but injuries hamper the ability of teams to practice and form good team play. Those teams that are healthy through the next month or so have the best opportunity to work together up until play starts. If Marko Viduka is healthy he can bring Australia some serious glory.

Posted from United States

By A New Spin on Things…. - FIFA World Cup 2006 - Croatia World Cup Team Blog | May 2nd, 2006 at 3:24 pm

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By Karlo Dunatov | May 22nd, 2006 at 12:18 pm

Highly over-rated player. He’s not even the best player on Hajduk.

Posted from Canada