Croatia National Team Jersey 2020

Three years after the historic World Cup silver medal in Russia, Croatia once again faced a major tournament. Expectations were no longer marked by hope, but by proof. Could Luka Modrić and the golden generation once again lead the small football nation among Europe's best? This jersey was worn at Euro 2021 – a championship that became an important chapter in the story of one of Croatia's greatest generations.

Facts

* Country: Croatia
* Period: 2020-2021
* Brand: Nike
* Size: Medium
* Condition: Very fine condition
* Notes: "Hrvatska" print on the back.

FOOTBALL MEMORIES

Since the bronze medals at the 1998 World Cup, Croatia has been synonymous with technical quality and strong midfielders. But the World Cup silver in 2018 lifted the national team to a new level. Modrić, Perišić, Brozović and Vida became national heroes, and all of Europe noticed how a country with fewer than four million inhabitants could challenge the world's biggest football nations.

This jersey was introduced for Euro 2020 – a tournament which, due to COVID-19, was not played until the summer of 2021. The tournament became a symbol of an unusual time, but also of the end of the generation that had written Croatian football history. At the same time, new profiles like Joško Gvardiol began to take the first steps towards taking over responsibility.

One of the tournament's greatest moments came in the round of 16 against Spain. Trailing 3-1 with a few minutes left, Croatia sensationally fought back to 3-3 and forced the match into extra time. Spain eventually won 5-3, but the match is still remembered as one of Euro's most dramatic games and proof of the indomitable mentality that had characterized Croatia through several tournaments.

The design is a modern interpretation of the iconic checkerboard, which since the 1990s has made Croatia's national team jerseys some of the most recognizable in the world. The larger red and white squares give the jersey a distinctive look and connect past and present in one of Nike's most characteristic editions.