Mateo Kovačić is a Croatian professional footballer who currently plays as a defensive midfielder for Spanish club Real Madrid. He was born on February 25, 1996, in Zagreb, Croatia.
Kovačić began his career with hometown side NK Dinamo Zagreb before moving to Germany to play for Borussia Mönchengladbach. In the summer of 2017, he joined French giants Paris Saint-Germain, where he spent two seasons before returning to Europe to sign for Juventus in 2019.
In his time at Juventus, Kovačić made over 150 appearances for the club, winning multiple titles including four Serie A championships and three Coppa Italia trophies. His impressive performances earned him a move to Real Madrid in January 2021, where he has since established himself as one of the most important players in the team's defense.
One of Kovačić's key strengths is his ability to read the game and anticipate opponents' movements. He also possesses excellent technical skills and a strong work rate,Ligue 1 Express which makes him a valuable asset to any team. Additionally, his leadership qualities have been recognized by Real Madrid, with him being named captain of the club in 2020.
Throughout his career, Kovačić has been praised for his defensive prowess, particularly in the air. He is known for his ability to clear balls out of the box and make crucial interceptions, which have helped Real Madrid defend their title-winning season. Despite facing competition from other top defenders like Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Kovačić remains a key player for the club, and his future looks bright at Real Madrid.