Modric and Rakitic star in Croatia's World Cup squad
Croatia have released their squad for the World Cup, with Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic two of the biggest stars included.
The two experienced midfielders will undoubtedly be two of the first names on the team sheet for head coach Zlatko Dalic, who has named an experienced squad for the World Cup.
The squad is made up of 24 players, with one left to be cut before the deadline of June 4. It is likely to be a defender who makes way. Among the ranks are Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, Juventus veteran Mario Mandzukic and Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
There was no real difficulty over deciding the selection, according to Dalic. "I didn't have many dilemmas," the Croatia coach said. "I firmly believe in these players."
Croatia's first game is a friendly against Brazil, on June 3, while their first World Cup game comes against Nigeria on June 16.
24-man Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Gent), Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb)
Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Ivan Strinic (Sampdoria), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Josip Pivaric (Dinamo Kiev), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Matej Mitrovic (Club Brugge), Duje Caleta-Car (Salzburg)
Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Filip Bradaric (Rijeka)
Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan), Nikola Kalinic (AC Milan), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Ante Rebic (Eintracht Frankfurt)