FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group D - Croatia v Wales - Stadion Poljud, Split, Croatia - March 25, 2023 Croatia's Josko Gvardiol during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Antonio Bronic/File Photo
(Reuters) - While Croatia playmaker Luka Modric will hog the limelight in what is likely to be his swansong international tournament, the country's fortunes at Euro 2024 may equally depend on the form of defensive lynchpin Josko Gvardiol.
The 22-year-old shot to prominence at the last World Cup, when his sterling work alongside Dejan Lovren helped propel Croatia to the semi-finals before their balloon was eventually burst by eventual champions Argentina.
