12. Nikola Moro, Dinamo Zagreb

Croatia and Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Nikola Moro has been likened to a young Luka Modric.
12. Nikola Moro, Dinamo Zagreb
12. Nikola Moro, Dinamo Zagreb /

Position: Midfielder

Nationality: Croatian

Age: 19

It takes a certain character to admit to supporting Hajduk Split and still turn out for Dinamo Zagreb. But Moro, born in Split but with Dinamo since he was 11, is a bit different. He has captained Croatia Under-19s and showed remarkable composure in his second-ever start for the first team, which came away at Juventus in a Champions League group match back in December. Dinamo Zagreb lost 2-0, but Moro was excellent.

He has the creativity and vision to play as an attacking midfielder but has the strength and work rate to play deeper in the middle as well. He wears his Croatian youth side captain’s armband with pride, and international boss Dario Basic has warned him to focus on his own game and not worry about his teammates. Croatian experts have compared him to Luka Modric.

What they're saying:

“Nikola has a great football future, he has vision, is courageous, is never scared to shoot and makes good decisions.”

– Jozo Bandic, Dinamo Zagreb youth coach

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Ben Lyttleton
BEN LYTTLETON

A journalist, broadcaster and consultant, Ben Lyttleton also wrote the book on PKs with his “Twelve Yards: The Art and Psychology of the Penalty Kick.”