Croatia teammates have hailed Josko Gvardiol after their World Cup round of 16 win against Japan.

Fellow left-sided defender Borna Barisic is 10 years his senior and described how highly Gvardiol is regarded among his peers.

“He plays like he has 100 caps for the national team," the Rangers defender said. “But that is what happens when God gives you everything. In football, that is what he has and I think he will have an absolutely amazing career.

“It seems like for him this is just some game without any pressure. Like he is playing with friends, he is very, very relaxed."

RB Leipzig stopper Gvardiol is the youngest player in an ageing Croatian team, with legend Luka Modric possibly playing his last tournament after two stars in Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic retired in recent years.

The Chelsea target has become so popular back home that his grandma has been on the TV telling stories from his childhood.

That attention won't prove a distraction, according to teammate Nikola Vlasic who said: “I have never seen a defender that has it all. The sky is the limit for him. He is not nervous, not even a little bit, he is always calm because he is so good. Unbelievable."