Perišić writes golden pages in Croatian football history
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Ivan Perišić became the second player in football history to assist goals in four different World Cups.
- He has contributed to 19 goals (goals and assists) in major tournaments, solidifying his status as Croatia's most productive player on the big stage.
- Perišić also ranks third all-time for Croatia in goals scored, with 38, behind only Davor Šuker.
Ivan Perišić continues to etch his name in Croatian football history with remarkable achievements on the international stage. The 37-year-old winger recently became only the second player ever to record an assist in four separate World Cup tournaments, a feat matched only by Lionel Messi.
Perišić's assist against England marked his presence in the 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026 World Cups. This consistent performance underscores his enduring value to the Croatian national team across different generations and competitions. He has been a reliable attacking force since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Beyond his World Cup assists, Perišić has amassed 19 direct goal contributions (goals and assists) in combined European Championship and World Cup appearances. This tally places him significantly ahead of other Croatian football legends like Mario Mandžukić (11), Davor Šuker (10), and Luka Modrić (9), cementing his status as the nation's most productive player in major tournaments.
With 155 caps and 38 goals for Croatia, Perišić trails only Davor Šuker (45 goals) in the all-time scoring list. His recent goal against Montenegro also made him the third-oldest player to score for Croatia. Despite his advanced age for a footballer, Perišić demonstrates that he can still perform at the highest level, adding another jewel to his impressive international career.
Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.