Thu 7 Oct 2021 11.28 CEST
Next Generation 2021: 60 of the best young talents in world football
From ‘the next Alphonso Davies’ to Dortmund’s Moukoko, we pick 60 of the most talented players born in 2004. Check the progress of class of
Marko Brkljaca
Club Hajduk Split
Position Midfielder
Born 15 July 2004
A left-footed box-to-box midfielder in the vein of, say, Georginio Wijnaldum. Regarded the biggest national prospect of his generation by some distance, Brkljaca attracts immediate attention with a smooth first touch and impressive physical capacity. His coaches particularly praise his ability to withstand challenges against older and bigger opponents, but also his sense for timing runs from behind, which regularly gets him into goal-scoring positions. Juventus tried to sign him last winter but they are not the only big club interested. Hajduk will want him to establish himself in the first team before considering any offers and he will get his chance soon enough – he made his senior debut in a cup game in September. Aleksandar Holiga
September 2022 update Looked very promising last season in the Uefa Youth League and in a couple of off-the-bench senior appearances. This was supposed to be his break-through season but instead things turned ugly when — on the advice of his father, who later spoke about it at length in the media — he turned down a professional contract with Hajduk. The club said they “refused to be blackmailed” and the youngster was removed from the squad, signing instead for bitter rivals Dinamo. He is currently with their Under-19 squad and is still a major prospect.
October 2023 update As his former Hajduk teammates reached the Uefa Youth League final, Brkljaca had to settle for game time in the second division, on loan to Dubrava, although he did make one senior appearance for Dinamo in the Cup. Now on loan at Aluminij in the Slovenian top division.
October 2024 update After a less than impressive season with Aluminij he is now with another Slovenian club, the newly-promoted ND Primorje. Has not played there yet, at the time of writing. Still under contract with Dinamo, but definitely on his way out sooner rather than later.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/07/next-generation-2021-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football
