Player profile
Mateo Kovacic
Midfielder · Manchester City
Mateo Kovačić is still Manchester City’s No.8, into the last year of his deal, after telling the club in August 2026 that Enzo Maresca counts on him following a season wrecked by Achilles surgery.
Career
Dinamo Zagreb, Inter, Real Madrid (three Champions Leagues), Chelsea (another in 2021) and then City from July 2023 for an initial £25 million. He won the 2023–24 Premier League and the 2023 Club World Cup in Manchester.
Achilles operations in June and November 2025 limited him to six Premier League appearances in 2025–26. On 4 August 2026 he told reporters in Hong Kong that Maresca counts on him and that he felt no doubt from the club (The Athletic, BBC Sport). Soccerbase has him on the bench in City’s 2–1 league win over Bournemouth on 23 August 2026.
How they play
A press-resistant central midfielder who glides rather than bursts, used as a connector more than a box-to-box runner. Injuries have cut his 2025–26 minutes to the lowest league tally of his career.
Where they are now
Transfermarkt still lists Manchester City, contract to 30 June 2027. Croatian reports in late August 2026 floated January interest from Milan, West Ham and Aston Villa; as of 4 August the player said he was staying.
Bio
Club career
- Manchester City F.C.2023
- Chelsea F.C.2019–2023
- Chelsea F.C.2018–2019
- Real Madrid Club de Fútbol2015–2019
- Inter Milan2013–2015
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb2010–2013
International career
- Croatia men's national football teamSince 2013Current
Youth caps: U21 (2010–2014) · U17 (2009–2011) · U19 (2009–2010)
Honours
No honours on record yet.
Defining moments
Champions League, twice a winner2021
Kovačić won the Champions League with Real Madrid three times and again with Chelsea in 2021, a unique double among current Premier League midfielders.
City, and a public stay2026
On 4 August 2026, with one year left on his contract, he said City counted on him after talks with Enzo Maresca during pre-season in Hong Kong.
Latest season stats (ESPN)
In our archive
We haven’t archived a match featuring this player yet — appearances appear here the moment we cover one.
Sources
- ESPN athlete profileJul 18, 2026
- WikidataJul 18, 2026
- Player photo — Bryan BerlinCC BY-SA 4.0
Read for this profile
- The Athletic — Kovacic says he is staying at Manchester CityAugust 27, 2026
- BBC Sport — Man City count on me despite exit rumoursAugust 27, 2026
- Transfermarkt — Mateo KovacicAugust 27, 2026
- Soccerbase — Mateo KovacicAugust 27, 2026
Profile written / last reviewed August 27, 2026.
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War of Soccer is not affiliated with FIFA, Manchester City, any federation or Mateo Kovacic. This page compiles publicly available data (ESPN, Wikidata) descriptively, for identification and commentary only — not an endorsement by or of the player.