PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ivan Perišić |
| Date of Birth | 02/02/1989 (Age: 37) |
| Place of Birth | Split, Croatia |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in / 186 cm |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Position | Forward / Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Both |
| Squad Number | #5 |
| Current Club | PSV Eindhoven |
| Previous Clubs | Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich (loan), Tottenham Hotspur, Hajduk Split |
| International Caps | 156+ |
| International Goals | 38+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 World Cup was supposed to be Ivan Perišić’s final dance. At 37 years old, the Croatian winger had already achieved more than most players dream of: a World Cup final appearance in 2018, a bronze medal in 2022, a Champions League final with Bayern Munich, and league titles in Italy and Germany.
Perišić delivered when it mattered most. He started every match of Croatia’s World Cup campaign, playing all 90 minutes against England, Panama, Ghana, and Portugal. He scored in the Round of 32 victory over Portugal, a goal that helped send Croatia through to the next round. On the biggest stage, at the age of 37, he was still the warrior Croatia could always count on.
The numbers across the 2025-26 season told the story of a player who refused to age. In 30 Eredivisie appearances for PSV, he scored 7 goals and provided 12 assists, ranking joint-second in the league for assists. His goal involvement of 0.77 per 90 minutes placed him in the 96th percentile of Eredivisie players, meaning he remained one of the most productive attackers in the league.
“Ivan is a special player and a top professional,” PSV manager Peter Bosz would say. “The work he puts in at his age is remarkable.”
Origins
Ivan Perišić was born in Split, Croatia, on February 2, 1989. His football journey began in the youth ranks of Hajduk Split, one of Croatia’s most prestigious clubs, before he made the move abroad to pursue his professional career.
His early career took him to France, where he played for Sochaux’s reserve team, but it was at Club Brugge in Belgium where he truly announced himself. In the 2010-11 season, he scored 20 goals in 26 league appearances, a phenomenal return for a winger. His performances attracted the attention of Borussia Dortmund, who signed him in 2011.
At Dortmund, he won the Bundesliga title in the 2011-12 season. He then moved to Wolfsburg, where he won the DFB-Pokal in 2015, and then to Inter Milan in 2015.
The European Forge
Perišić’s career has been defined by his ability to perform at the highest level, season after season. Across Serie A, he made over 200 appearances for Inter Milan, scoring more than 50 goals. He was a key figure in Inter’s Scudetto-winning campaign in the 2020-21 season.
In the 2019-20 season, he joined Bayern Munich on loan. He won the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and played in the Champions League final, scoring in the quarter-finals against Barcelona along the way. He was a key part of the Bayern team that completed a historic treble.
In 2022, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Though his time in England was disrupted by injuries, he made 34 appearances in his first season, scoring 6 goals and providing 6 assists.
The PSV Revival and International Farewell
In September 2024, Perišić joined PSV Eindhoven. The move was seen as a step down for a player of his stature, but Perišić used it to prove that he still had plenty to offer. In the 2025-26 season, he made 30 Eredivisie appearances, scoring 7 goals and providing 12 assists. He was a key player in PSV’s title-winning campaign.
At the 2026 World Cup, Perišić started all four of Croatia’s matches, playing the full 90 minutes against England, Panama, Ghana, and Portugal. He scored in the Round of 32 match against Portugal, and his performances were a reminder of his enduring quality.
The Anatomy of His Game
Perišić is a complete modern winger. He is capable of playing on either flank, comfortable with both feet, and has the work rate of a wing-back and the technical ability of a playmaker.
In possession
, his crossing and delivery are his greatest assets. In the 2025-26 season, his 12 Eredivisie assists placed him joint-second in the league. His ability to deliver accurate crosses with both feet made him a constant threat from wide areas. He also scored 7 goals, demonstrating his ability to arrive late in the box.
Out of possession
, his work rate is legendary. At 37, he still covers huge amounts of ground and contributes defensively. He is a player who leads by example.
His leadership
is another key quality. He has been a senior figure in the Croatia dressing room for over a decade, and his experience was invaluable at the 2026 World Cup. He has over 150 caps for his country.
His weakness
has been his age and fitness. He missed the 2023-24 season with a serious injury, and his ability to maintain his intensity has been questioned. However, his performances for PSV and Croatia proved that, when fit, he is still a player capable of performing at the highest level.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eredivisie | 30 | 2,219 | 7 | 12 | 0.77 G/A per 90 |
| Champions League | 8 | 538 | 1 | 1 | — |
| World Cup | 4 | 360 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Total | 42+ | 3,117+ | 9 | 13 | — |
TABLE B: World Cup 2026 Record
| Opponent | Start/Sub | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | Start | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| Panama | Start | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| Ghana | Start | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| Portugal (Round of 32) | Start | 90 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 4 starts | 360 | 1 | 0 |
TABLE C: International Career (as of 2026)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 156+ |
| Senior Goals | 38+ |
| Debut | 2011 |
| World Cups | 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| World Cup Final | 2018 (Runner-up) |
| World Cup Bronze | 2022 (Third Place) |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | Bundesliga Winner | Won with Borussia Dortmund |
| 2015 | DFB-Pokal Winner | Won with Wolfsburg |
| 2018 | World Cup Finalist | Part of Croatia’s historic run |
| 2020-21 | Scudetto Winner | Won with Inter Milan |
| 2020 | Bundesliga Winner | Won with Bayern Munich |
| 2021-22 | Coppa Italia Winner | Won with Inter Milan |
| 2022 | World Cup Bronze Medalist | Finished third with Croatia |
| 2025-26 | Eredivisie Winner | Won with PSV |
What these figures reveal is a player who has maintained an extraordinary level of performance well into his late 30s. He has played over 150 international matches, scored 38 goals for his country, and performed at the highest level for the best clubs in Europe. His 12 assists in the 2025-26 season at 37 years old are a testament to his enduring quality.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was Perišić’s fourth. He was named in Zlatko Dalić’s squad and started all four of Croatia’s matches, playing the full 90 minutes in each. He scored in the Round of 32 match against Portugal, a goal that helped send Croatia through to the next round.
His performances for PSV in the 2025-26 season had earned him his place. He played 30 Eredivisie matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 12 assists. He was joint-second in the Eredivisie for assists.
He is under contract at PSV until 2027. The World Cup may have been his last on the biggest stage, but his legacy is secure.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Perišić is known for his professionalism and his commitment to his country. He is a popular figure in the Croatia dressing room, and his experience is invaluable to the younger players.
He is a proud representative of Croatia, having been capped over 150 times. He has spoken about the importance of the team environment and the support of his coaches.
His family background in Split remains a core part of his identity. He has been a role model for young Croatian footballers for over a decade.
The Verdict from the Camp
Zlatko Dalić, Croatia head coach:
Dalić has placed immense trust in Perišić, naming him in his World Cup squad and starting him in every match.
Ivan Perišić, on his career:
He has spoken about the importance of staying fit and performing at the highest level for as long as possible.
Teammates:
Perišić is a respected figure in the Croatia dressing room, and his experience is invaluable to the younger players.
Where Next?
Ivan Perišić is 37 years old and has achieved more than most players dream of. He has played in a World Cup final, won league titles in Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, and has represented his country at four World Cups. He is one of the most decorated players in Croatian history.
His legacy is already secure. He is the player who scored in the World Cup final, who was a key part of Inter’s Scudetto-winning side, who won the treble with Bayern Munich, who has been a warrior for Croatia for over a decade. He has been the ageless winger who refused to slow down. The journey from Split to the World Cup has been remarkable. The boy who started in Hajduk Split’s youth system is now a Croatian legend and one of the most successful players in the country’s history.
