Dominik Livakovic, the Croatian goalkeeper who rose to prominence during the last World Cup, is setting his sights on further success with the national team as they prepare for the upcoming qualifiers. Livakovic recently made the switch on loan from Fenerbahce to Girona in LaLiga. He was feeling the thrill of his maiden voyage into Spanish football!
At the last World Cup in Qatar, Livakovic solidified his status as one of the top goalkeepers by making a series of crucial saves. He remains most famous for saving three penalties during Croatia’s nerve-shredding shootout win over Japan in the Round of 16. He faced intense scrutiny when Croatia’s quarter-final match against Brazil extended to penalties, where he again delivered an impressive performance by saving Rodrygo’s attempt.
Livakovic’s time with the Croatian national team has been nothing short of historic success. Indeed, he orchestrated a famous 3rd place finish of the team, achieving success in the 2018 World Cup. He’s still one of the key men in the group that’s now 14 deep with established pros. This mix of youth and experience will be essential for Croatia’s hopes as they look to return to a second consecutive World Cup.
In Croatia’s first three World Cup 2026 qualifiers, 11 of 13 goals came from players aged 30+. This underscores just how important veteran experience is at every position in high-pressure situations. Livakovic shot down any lofty aspirations, saying the team’s first priority remains qualification.
“Our first goal is to qualify, nothing happens without that,” – Dominik Livakovic
Livakovic’s leadership goes beyond his position on the field. He is featured in Mackage’s new Protect Your Craft series. Colorful and powerful, the campaign invites players to express their creativity and uniqueness on the pitch and beyond.
“Protect Your Craft is about being proud of who you are, on and off the pitch,” – Dominik Livakovic
As he’s getting acclimated to LaLiga, Livakovic recently opened up on some of the difficulties that accompany competing in Spain’s top flight.
“I love clean, elegant fashion that reflects discipline and simplicity. It’s something that helps me express myself outside football.” – Dominik Livakovic
It’s a great reflection of how much his thinking about the craft of goalkeeping has changed over the years. He considers goalkeepers not merely shot-stoppers, but key figures in the playmaking process of a team.
“The intensity, the speed, the atmosphere, every game is like a final. And of course, the goalkeepers have to be really complete to succeed there.” – Dominik Livakovic
Livakovic pointed to the expectations of today’s modern keeper. He shared about how he learned to stay calm under pressure and how to clearly communicate to those around you.
“Today, a goalkeeper isn’t just someone who stops shots, we’re the first playmaker,” – Dominik Livakovic
Despite the evolving nature of his position, he maintains that his core responsibility remains unchanged:
“It requires focus and communication,” – Dominik Livakovic
As he looks ahead to a return to club and international action, Livakovic knows just how important it is to represent Croatia. Even more, he thinks that togetherness among players and fans alike is a vital part of who they are as a team.
“What hasn’t changed is the core responsibility: to make the saves when the team needs you.” – Dominik Livakovic
He went on to argue that their entrepreneurial spirit can sometimes overcome other benefits like money or market size.
“The Croatian national team jersey is sacred to all Croatians, and it’s an incredible honour to represent our country,” – Dominik Livakovic
Livakovic is opening up a new chapter with Girona as he aims for World Cup qualification with Croatia. He’s totally dedicated to creating a powerful culture of football and belief among his teammates.
“That heart and togetherness, both within the team and with the fans, can take you far, sometimes even further than financial resources or the size of your population,” – Dominik Livakovic
As Livakovic embarks on this new chapter with Girona while aiming for World Cup qualification with Croatia, he remains focused on building a strong football culture and instilling belief among teammates.
“What you really need is a strong football culture and belief in your people,” – Dominik Livakovic
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