Meet Martin Baturina, Croatia's Next Big Midfield Star

Martin Baturina, the son of former Bnei Yehuda midfielder Mate Baturina, is being presented as Croatia's next major talent. The article notes that Mate played for Bnei Yehuda in Tel Aviv's Hatikva neighborhood from 2003 to 2007 and was one of the club's most memorable foreign players.

The focus now is on 23-year-old Martin, who has already made a major leap in his career. After several seasons at Dinamo Zagreb, where he emerged as a top prospect, he moved this summer to Como for 18 million euros. He then became a key figure in what the article calls Como's unforgettable season under Cesc Fabregas, helping the club reach the Champions League for the first time in its history.

Baturina produced eight goals and four assists in 34 appearances, including a crucial goal against Napoli and another contribution in the penalty shootout, and helped Como reach the Italian Cup semifinals for the first time in 40 years. For Croatia, he had scored once in 20 appearances before this tournament, and he doubled that tally with a memorable strike against England and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the World Cup opener.

His current market value is listed at 30 million euros by Transfermarkt. With Luka Modric expected to leave soon, Baturina is seen as the player who will lead Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, in the coming years.