PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Martin Baturina |
| Date of Birth | 16/02/2003 (Age: 23) |
| Place of Birth | Split, Croatia |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Height | 1.72 m / 5 ft 7.5 in |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Como 1907 |
| Previous Clubs | Dinamo Zagreb |
| International Caps | 23+ |
| International Goals | 2+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
The Frozen Moment
The Toronto Stadium was electric. June 17, 2026. Croatia and England were locked in their World Cup opener, and Martin Baturina was playing on football’s biggest stage for the first time. But this was no passive debut—within just 36 minutes, the 23-year-old midfielder found the back of the net against England, scoring his first ever World Cup goal.
The goal was a statement. From that moment, Baturina announced himself as a man for the big occasion. He started all four of Croatia’s World Cup matches and was a calm, composed, and influential presence throughout the tournament. “I’m proud to be here, and it’s every player’s dream to be at a World Cup,” he had said before the tournament.
The boy from Split, who had once been a youth prospect at Dinamo Zagreb, had arrived.
Origins
Martin Baturina was born on February 16, 2003, in Split, Croatia. His football journey began at Dinamo Zagreb, where he progressed through the youth ranks from the U17s to the senior team.
He made his senior debut for Dinamo Zagreb in December 2020 and gradually established himself as a regular starter, wearing the number 10 shirt for the club. In the 2022-23 season, he made 34 league appearances, scoring 6 goals and helping Dinamo dominate Croatian football. The following season, he contributed 5 league goals in 32 appearances, cementing his status as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Croatia.
The European Forge
Dinamo Zagreb (2020-2025):
Baturina established himself as a key player for Dinamo Zagreb. Across 67 league appearances, he consistently delivered, developing into a creative force and a leader in the Dinamo midfield. His performances in the Croatian league and in European competitions caught the attention of clubs across Europe.
In the 2024-25 season, he made 141 appearances for Dinamo Zagreb overall, scoring 22 goals and accumulating 28 assists across his time with the club. His performances at the Champions League level, including a goal against AC Milan in January 2025, showcased his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
Como 1907 (2025-Present):
In July 2025, Baturina made the move to Serie A, joining Como 1907 on a five-year contract. The transition to Italian football was a significant step up, but Baturina was ready.
2025-26 Season:
Baturina’s first season in Serie A was a success. He made 29 league appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists. He also contributed 2 goals in 5 Coppa Italia appearances. His non-penalty expected goals placed him in the top 87th percentile of Serie A players, demonstrating his creative and goal-scoring threat from midfield.
His performances helped establish Como in Serie A and earned him a crucial role in Croatia's World Cup squad.
The Anatomy of His Game
Baturina is an attacking midfielder defined by creativity, composure, and an impressive ability to produce on the biggest stages. He is a player who controls the tempo and finds dangerous positions in the final third.
In Possession:
Baturina is a composed and creative playmaker. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and finding key passes to unlock defenses. His ability to score goals from midfield is a significant asset—he scored 6 goals in 29 Serie A appearances in the 2025-26 season. His goal against England at the World Cup was a moment of clinical finishing at the highest level.
Out of Possession:
Baturina’s tactical intelligence is a key part of his game. He works hard to support his team defensively and has improved his tactical awareness, as he himself has acknowledged: “I improved tactically and became a better player.”
Psychological Edge:
Baturina’s mental resilience has been crucial to his rise. He admitted that he “maybe didn’t start the season in the best way,” but he “never stopped believing” and “kept working hard, and it paid off.” His ability to silence critics with his performances—scoring against England at the World Cup—demonstrates his composure and self-belief.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 29 | 6 | 3 | 1,569 |
| Coppa Italia | 5 | 2 | 1 | 266 |
| World Cup | 4 | 1 | — | — |
| TOTAL | 44 | 9 | 4 | 2,388 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Period | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2025 | Dinamo Zagreb | 1. HNL | 67+ | 22 |
| 2025-Present | Como | Serie A | 29 | 6 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 141+ | 22+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 1 |
| UEFA Euro 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| World Cup Qualifying | 3 | — |
| Croatia Senior Career | 23+ | 2+ |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dinamo Debut | First-team debut |
| 2022 | Dinamo Regular | 34 league appearances, 6 goals |
| 2024 | Euro Campaign | Second major tournament |
| 2025 | Como Transfer | Serie A move |
| 2026 | World Cup Goal | Scored against England |
| 2026 | World Cup Starter | Started all 4 matches |
What these figures reveal
is a player who has consistently improved throughout his career. Baturina’s 9 goals and 4 assists in 44 appearances in the 2025-26 season and his 22 goals and 28 assists in 141 appearances for Dinamo Zagreb demonstrate his creative and goal-scoring ability from midfield. His performance at the World Cup—starting every match and scoring against England—has announced him as a player ready for the elite level.
The Present Tense
Martin Baturina is 23 years old and in the midst of a remarkable World Cup campaign. He is a key player for Como, a regular starter for Croatia, and one of the most exciting young midfielders in European football.
The Como Story:
Baturina joined Como in 2025 and has become a key player. In the 2025-26 season, he made 29 Serie A appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists. He has signed a contract until 2030.
The World Cup Campaign:
Baturina started all four of Croatia’s matches at the 2026 World Cup. He scored his first World Cup goal against England in the group stage. Croatia advanced to the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Portugal. Reflecting on the tournament, Baturina said: “It hurts because we believed in ourselves. It hurts because we wanted more. But I’m proud, and the motivation to come back stronger is even greater.”
International Record:
Baturina has 23 caps for Croatia and has scored 2+ goals. He made his senior debut in 2024 and has become a regular in the national team setup. He represented Croatia at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Baturina is known for his resilience and his refusal to be defined by critics. “I don’t pay attention to what people write; I stay focused on myself,” he said before the World Cup. His journey from being challenged at the start of his club season to scoring at the World Cup is a testament to his character.
He has spoken about Croatia’s mentality of being underestimated: “Our strength is that we’re often underestimated. Croatians love proving people wrong.” He also draws inspiration from his idols, naming both Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić as players he looked up to as a child.
The Verdict from the Camp
Zlatko Dalić, Croatia head coach:
Dalić has shown faith in Baturina, starting him in all four of Croatia’s World Cup matches.
Martin Baturina:
“I’m proud to be here, and it’s every player’s dream to be at a World Cup.”
“I don’t really know what to say. I’m grateful for the support people have shown me. It definitely means a lot when I hear positive things about myself, but it only motivates me to keep improving.”
Statistic:
Baturina started all four of Croatia’s matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Baturina scored his first World Cup goal against England.
Where Next?
Martin Baturina is 23 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is under contract with Como until 2030. His performances in Serie A and at the World Cup have put him on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs.
For Croatia, Baturina is a key part of the future. At 23, he is already a regular starter and will be a cornerstone of the national team for years to come. His partnership with other young talents in the Croatia squad is the foundation of the team’s future.
From Split to Dinamo Zagreb, from Como to the World Cup, Martin Baturina’s journey is a story of resilience, self-belief, and extraordinary talent. The young midfielder who silenced critics and scored against England is just beginning.
