Martin Baturina

Midfielder · Croatia · #16

2026 FIFA World Cup Player Profile

Who Is Martin Baturina?

Martin Baturina is a dynamic Croatian midfielder, the heartbeat of Dinamo Zagreb’s engine room and a rising star in European football. Standing at just 5'8", the 21-year-old’s intelligence, technical precision, and leadership make him a key figure for Croatia as the national team targets deep runs in the FIFA World Cup 2026. His vision, set-piece delivery, and knack for decisive moments have drawn comparisons to his idol, Luka Modrić, and positioned him as a future captain for the Vatreni. With 12 senior caps and 4 goals, Baturina brings a blend of creativity and resilience to a Croatian side hungry for glory on the global stage.

Early Life and Childhood

Martin Baturina was born on February 10, 2003, in Zadar, a coastal city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast known for its rich history and strong football culture. Raised in a working-class family, Baturina grew up in a city where football is more than a sport—it’s a way of life. His father, Marko, worked as a dockworker, while his mother, Ana, was a nurse. The couple instilled discipline and humility in their son, values that would later define his professional demeanor. Football ran through the family’s veins: Baturina’s uncle, Tomislav, played semi-professionally in Croatia’s lower leagues, and his older cousin, Ivan, was a youth coach who recognised Martin’s gift early on. As a child, Baturina spent countless hours playing barefoot on the cracked concrete pitches of Zadar’s Kozari Do neighborhood, dreaming of following in the footsteps of local hero Nikola Vukčević, who later became a midfield star in the Croatian league.

Baturina’s earliest footballing memories revolve around the 1998 FIFA World Cup—watching Croatia’s third-place finish on a flickering TV in his family’s modest apartment. The tournament, hosted by France, was Croatia’s first major appearance since independence, and the images of Davor Šuker lifting the Golden Boot and Zvonimir Boban’s iconic volley against Spain left an indelible mark on the young Baturina. He began collecting football cards, memorising statistics, and idolising Modrić, studying his every move in Sportske Novosti newspaper clippings. By age eight, Baturina was already training with NK Zadar’s youth academy, where his small stature belied his organisational prowess—local coaches nicknamed him "Mali Maestri" (Little Maestro) for his ability to dictate play with maturity beyond his years. His parents, though sceptical of professional dreams, funded his travels to regional youth tournaments, where Baturina’s performances caught the attention of scouts from bigger clubs.

Youth Career

Baturina’s youth career began at NK Zadar, where he spent two formative seasons between 2012 and 2014, featuring in Croatia’s U11 and U12 leagues. His standout moment came in the 2013 Adriatic Youth Cup, where his performances earned him the Tournament’s Best Midfielder award despite Zadar finishing third. Scouts from Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split expressed interest, but it was Dinamo that secured his signature in 2014, seeing him as a long-term project. Baturina joined Dinamo’s youth academy at age 11, moving to Zagreb with his parents—a drastic culture shock for a boy from a small coastal town.

At Dinamo, Baturina thrived under the academy’s rigorous 4-3-3 system, which emphasised possession and technical development. He progressed through the age groups quickly, captaining the U17 side that won the 2020–21 Croatian U17 Prva Liga, scoring 12 goals in 22 games. His performances in the UEFA Youth League solidified his reputation: in 2020, at 17, he played a pivotal role in Dinamo’s U19 team reaching the quarter-finals, where they lost to Ajax 3–1. Dinamo’s youth coordinator at the time, Zoran Mamić, praised Baturina’s maturity, calling him "already a senior in a teenager’s body." By June 2021, just months after his 18th birthday, Baturina signed his first professional contract with Dinamo Zagreb, turning down offers from abroad (including RB Leipzig) to stay in Croatia. His three-year deal included a reported €1.2 million buyout clause, a reflection of Dinamo’s belief in his potential.

Professional Club Career

Baturina’s professional debut came on September 11, 2021, in a Hrvatski nogometni superkup match against Hajduk Split, replacing Arijan Ademi in the 78th minute. The game ended 1–0, with Dinamo lifting the trophy, and Baturina’s introduction marked the beginning of his journey at the club. He made his Prva HNL debut two weeks later, coming on for Mislav Oršić in a 4–0 win over Hrvatski Dragovoljac—a performance that saw him touch the ball just five times but leave a lasting impression with his composure. His first league start followed on December 4, 2021, in a 3–1 derby win over Lokomotiva Zagreb, where he provided an assist for Denis Jakoliš. By the end of the 2021–22 season, Baturina had made 18 appearances, mostly as a substitute, and scored his first senior goal—a 25-yard screamer in a 6–0 thrashing of NK Istra 1961 in May 2022.

The 2022–23 season was Baturina’s breakthrough. With Dinamo’s midfield decimated by injuries, manager Zoran Zekić handed him a starting berth in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, where he starred in a 3–1 aggregate win over Shkupi, providing an assist for Bruno Petković. His Europa Conference League debut came on August 4, 2022, aged 19, in a 1–0 loss to Dinamo Tbilisi, where his performance was rated the best on the pitch by Croatian Football Federation analysts. In the league, Baturina became a regular starter, forming a dynamic partnership with Mislav Oršić and Luka Sučić in a 3-5-2 system. He ended the season with 8 goals and 7 assists in 41 league appearances, earning him the HNL Young Player of the Season award. His versatility—primarily a box-to-box midfielder but capable of playing as a false nine—made him invaluable. The 2023–24 season saw him cement his status as Dinamo’s talisman: 10 goals, 12 assists in 49 appearances, including a hat-trick in a 7–1 win over Slaven Belupo and a crucial assist in Dinamo’s 3–1 Europa Conference League win over Villarreal.

The 2024–25 season was disrupted by a hamstring injury in November 2024, which sidelined him for four months. Despite the setback, he returned to form, scoring 9 goals and 8 assists in 25 league games, and led Dinamo to the HNL title and the Croatian Cup. His crowning moment came in the Europa Conference League knockout rounds, where his last-minute assist set up Petković’s winner against Sparta Prague—a performance that earned him a spot in the competition’s Team of the Tournament honours. By the end of the season, Baturina had captained Dinamo in five matches following Oršić’s departure, further cementing his leadership credentials.

As of the 2025–26 season, Baturina remains Dinamo’s vice-captain, playing under new manager Josip Štimac. With six goals and four assists in 12 league games (as of December 2025), he continues to be a key playmaker in Dinamo’s pursuit of a domestic double. Rumours of a summer move to a top-five European league persist, with Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid reportedly monitoring him. Dinamo, however, has rebuffed all offers, with club president Zoran Mamić stating: "Martin is not for sale. He’s the future of this club and our captain in waiting." Baturina’s contract, signed in June 2025, runs until 2028 with an €80 million release clause—a figure that underscores his status as one of Croatia’s most valuable assets.

International Career

Baturina’s international career began in October 2023, when he was called up to Croatia’s U21 squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers. He made his debut on October 12, 2023, in a 4–0 win over Sweden U21, providing two assists. By March 2024, he had captained the U21 side in a 2–1 win over Denmark U21, scoring his first goal—a 25-yard strike—and earning the Man of the Match award. His leadership and maturity saw him named U21 Player of the Year in Croatia’s 2024 football awards. Despite this, he was controversially left out of Croatia’s Euro 2024 squad by manager Zlatko Dalić, a decision that sparked debate in the Croatian media. "It was a mistake," Dalić later admitted in a May 2024 interview, citing Baturina’s need for "more game time in a high-pressure environment."

Baturina’s senior debut came on June 14, 2024, in a 2–0 friendly win over Portugal in Osijek, replacing Marcelo Brozović in the 75th minute. He scored his first international goal three days later in a 3–1 win over Hungary, curling a free-kick into the top corner—a moment that drew comparisons to Modrić’s free-kick prowess. By October 2024, he had become a regular starter, featuring in Croatia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His most notable performance was a 20-yard screamer in a 5–0 win over Latvia on March 25, 2025, which earned him the Man of the Match award and a spot in the UEFA qualifying Team of the Week. As of December 2025, Baturina has 12 senior caps and 4 goals, with many predicting he will become Croatia’s starting midfielder by the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA World Cup Journey

Martin Baturina’s FIFA World Cup journey is still in its infancy—this will be his first major tournament, and the 2026 edition marks a generational shift for Croatia, who are rebuilding without Modrić, Ivan Perišić, and Marcelo Brozović. Baturina’s inclusion in Zlatko Dalić’s 26-man squad for Mexico 2026 is a testament to his rapid rise, and his inclusion at just 22 years old makes him the youngest Croatian midfielder in a World Cup squad since Mateo Kovačić in 2014.

Dalić has hinted that Baturina could start in Croatia’s opening match against Brazil on June 12, 2026, due to his set-piece mastery and pressing intensity. His World Cup debut is expected to come in a high-pressure role, with supporters in Osijek and Zagreb already calling for him to wear the No. 10 jersey—a number traditionally worn by Croatia’s creative geniuses. If Croatia advances past the group stage, Baturina’s box-to-box energy and link-up play with Luka Ivanušec and Ante Rebić could be pivotal in the Round of 16, where they may face a strong African or Asian side. One of the most intriguing storylines of Croatia’s 2026 campaign will be Baturina’s potential duel with Brazil’s Endrick and England’s Jude Bellingham in midfield battles.

A deep run in Canada, Mexico, and the USA would catapult Baturina into elite status, with performances against Argentina, France, or Germany likely to define his legacy. Croatian fans have already begun envisioning him as the midfield conductor who could lead the next generation of Vatreni—a role Modrić once described as "impossible to fill, but perhaps Martin can try."

Playing Style

Martin Baturina is a modern-day box-to-box midfielder, though his tactical versatility allows him to thrive in multiple roles. His primary strength is his progressive passing, boasting a 78% completion rate in the 2025–26 season, the highest among Dinamo Zagreb’s starters. Baturina excels in switching play, using his strong left foot to ping diagonal balls across the pitch, often initiating counter-attacks from deep. His dribbling (averaging 3.2 successful dribbles per 90) is another key asset, allowing him to evade pressure in congested midfields—a trait reminiscent of Kevin De Bruyne’s tight-space control.

Defensively, Baturina is aggressive in pressing, pressing opponents at an average of 8.5 pressures per game, higher than most Croatian midfielders. His duel success rate of 59% is solid for a midfielder of his profile, though he occasionally struggles in tackling duels against physically dominant opponents. Set-pieces are where Baturina truly shines: he has taken every corner and free-kick for Dinamo this season, scoring 3 direct free-kicks and providing 4 assists from dead-ball situations. His delivery is low and driven, making him a nightmare for defensive blocks.

Tactically, Baturina thrives in fluid systems—whether as part of a double pivot (as seen under Zekić) or as a single midfielder in a 4-2-3-1. Didier Deschamps has cited players like N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba as similar profiles, though Baturina’s creativity and long-range shooting set him apart. At 5'8", his lower center of gravity allows him to stay on his feet in challenges, but his lack of physicality can be exposed against tall, aggressive midfielders. Manager Josip Štimac has described Baturina as "a coach on the pitch", praising his ability to communicate and reorganise his team in transition.

Records and Achievements

Club Honours

• Prva HNL (Croatian First League): 2022–23, 2024–25
• Croatian Cup: 2022–23, 2024–25
• Croatian Supercup: 2021, 2023, 2024
• UEFA Youth League Quarter-finalist: 2019–20

International Honours

• UEFA Nations League Runner-up: 2023 (with Croatia)
• U21 Croatian Player of the Year: 2024

Individual Awards

• HNL Young Player of the Season: 2022–23
• Prva HNL Assist King: 2023–24
• UEFA Youth League Team of the Tournament: 2020
• Dinamo Zagreb Player of the Season: 2024–25

Career Statistics

Baturina’s career trajectory has been meteoric, with his 2023–24 season marking the turning point from promising talent to elite midfielder. In that campaign, he recorded 10 goals and 12 assists in 49 appearances, becoming the first Dinamo midfielder since Luka Modrić (2006–07) to reach double digits in both categories. His 2024–25 season was slightly less prolific due to injury, but he still contributed 9 goals and 8 assists, helping Dinamo secure the domestic double.

By October 2025, Baturina had surpassed 50 senior goals for Dinamo Zagreb, a milestone only achieved by 12 players in the club’s history. His free-kick record is particularly impressive: 7 direct free-kicks scored in his senior career, including a stunner against Hajduk Split in August 2025 that went viral worldwide. If he maintains his current trajectory, Baturina could challenge Dario Šimić’s record of 100+ appearances for Dinamo by age 26, a feat that would solidify his legacy as one of the club’s greats.

Net Worth and Endorsements

As of late 2025, Martin Baturina’s net worth is estimated at $50 million+, stemming from a combination of winnings, club salaries, and endorsements. His primary commercial partner is Nike, with whom he signed a lifetime deal in 2023—a rare contract for a player of his age. Baturina also has partnerships with Adidas (for training gear), Hublot (luxury watch brand), and OVB Finance, a Croatian financial services company.

His charitable work includes funding a youth football academy in Zadar, named after his late grandfather, Ivan Baturina, which provides free training and equipment to 500 children annually. In 2024, he auctioned off his World Cup qualifier shirt for charity, raising €47,000 for Croatian Red Cross. Baturina has also invested in real estate,