Croatia's football journey began in the early 1990s, with the country's first national team being formed in 1990. The team struggled to make an impact initially, failing to qualify for any major international tournaments.
However, this period also saw the emergence of talented players like Davor Suker and Robert Prosinečki, who would go on to play crucial roles in the country's future success.
Fast forward to the 2000s, and Croatia began to experience a resurgence in their football fortunes. The emergence of players like Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitic, and Mario Mandžukić marked the beginning of a new era for Croatian football.
Under the guidance of coaches like Slaven Bilić and Niko Kovač, the team started to make significant progress, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2008 European Championship and the semifinals of the 2012 tournament.
Croatia's current team is built upon the foundations laid by the golden generation. The country continues to produce talented players like Dominik Livaković and Josip Šutalo, who are expected to carry the torch forward.
The Croatian Football Federation has also made significant investments in youth development programs, ensuring that the country remains a force to be reckoned with in international football.