Mateo Kovacic - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Pep Guardiola quotes his 'idol' Johan Cruyff as he aims bizarre dig at his own injured Man City players

Pep Guardiola has taken a bizarre dig at his own Manchester City players while quoting his "idol", Johan Cruyff. The demanding Catalan coach...

JANUARY 26 • goal

Pep Guardiola quotes his 'idol' Johan Cruyff as he aims bizarre dig at his own injured Man City players

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Here's what you need to know about Croatia's national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

JANUARY 2 • FOX SPORTS

Croatia World Cup 2026 Preview: Best Players, Roster, History

Could return ahead of time Kovacic (heel) was expected to return in February from his injury, but based on coach Pep Guardiola's press conference comment he could come back well ahead of that timeline and li...

Impact Kovacic was expected to be sidelined until February with a heel injury that required surgery, but coach Pep Guardiola suggested in his press conference answer that he could return soon, just not for Tuesday's clash against Leverkusen in the Champions League. This opens the door for a return of the midfielder against Leeds United on Saturday or most likely at some point in December if he recovers ahead of schedule. That said, a potential comeback in that time frame will not affect the starting XI since he is holding a rotational role this season with the Citizens.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to undergo new surgery Kovacic is set to undergo heel surgery in the coming days and will be sidelined until February, according to Sportske Novosti.

Impact Kovacic suffered a setback on the same foot as his previous injury and will undergo surgery to treat a heel deformation. This is a blow for the Citizens since the Croatian is an important part of the rotation with his experience. Kovacic will aim to return fit for the second part of the season to help Manchester City reach their objectives.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to miss time Kovacic (ankle) is set to miss time since he is still suffering from complications, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference, according to City Xtra. "He has a problem still...

Impact Kovacic is still dealing with complications from his ankle injury and is set to spend some time on the sidelines to recover. That said, the midfielder has seen only limited playing time when fully fit for the Citizens, so his absence won't affect the starting XI.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Haaland scores again but Gonzalez injured in Man City's win in Champions League

Another goal for Erling Haaland and another midfield injury for Pep Guardiola means some things never change for Manchester City

OCTOBER 21, 2025 • Associated Press

Plays first minutes Kovacic played his first minutes of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win against Everton but will see limited minutes moving forward, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference. "H...

Impact Kovacic is returning from a four-month absence that required surgery, which will force coach Pep Guardiola to manage him carefully and limit his minutes. The Croatian is expected to gradually rebuild his fitness and maintain a rotational role for Manchester City this season, as the coach is pleased with his contributions off the bench when called upon.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Building up fitness Kovacic featured with Croatia over the international break and is building his fitness levels, according to manager Pep Guardiola. "He started 50-60 minutes, step-by-step. He needs...

Impact Kovacic has been available off the bench in the club's past two games but still has yet to appear this season after early-season struggles with an Achilles injury. However, he did feature with Croatia over the international break and is raising his fitness levels, potentially seeing the field again soon. He will likely remain in a bench role in most matches moving forward, but will be an addition of depth if injuries occur.

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Available off bench Kovacic (Achilles) is on the bench for Saturday's game against Burnley.

Impact Kovacic will be able to log minutes for the first time in the 2025/26 season. He's not expected to play a big role as the season progresses, though.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Could return Saturday Kovacic has a chance to return during Saturday's clash with Burnley, according to manager Pep Guardiola."It would help] a lot to have Kova back. It's a long injury, surgery, but he...

Impact Kovacic has an outside chance to be ready for Saturday's clash with Burnley. The midfielder has been working his way back from an Achilles injury throughout the season. He would be a depth option when fit once more, especially as he builds his match fitness during a busy part of the season.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Pictured in training Kovacic was pictured in training during Tuesday's session.

Impact Kovacic is continuing to ramp up his workload as he works back from an Achilles issue. He was pictured training on grass Tuesday, as he looks towards a return Saturday against Burnley. When fit Kovacic is likely to be a rotational option.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Close to return Kovacic (achilles) is close to returning from injury, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference, according to City Xtra.

Impact Kovacic is nearing the end of his recovery from the Achilles surgery he underwent in early June and could resume team training in the coming week. This is good news for the Citizens as the Croatian will add another option in midfield for coach Pep Guardiola, although he will likely hold a rotational role once fully fit.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Still far from return Kovacic is currently rehabilitating from an Achilles injury and remains far from making his return, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference. "Kova injured until September or...

Impact Kovacic underwent surgery on his Achilles in early June and is still in the rehabilitation process for that injury. The midfielder is expected to miss at least one more month before making his return to the pitch. That said, he was mainly a bench option last season, and with the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders over the summer, his absence will not impact the starting squad.

AUGUST 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Man City signs France playmaker Cherki to usher in start of post-De Bruyne era

Manchester City has kickstarted the post-Kevin De Bruyne era by signing maverick France playmaker Rayan Cherki from Lyon for 36 million euros in time to play in the Club World Cup

JUNE 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Man City midfielder Kovacic has Achilles surgery and is out of Club World Cup

Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has been ruled out of the Club World Cup after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury

JUNE 2, 2025 • Associated Press

Undergoes Achilles surgery Kovacic has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury and is set to miss the Club World Cup, the club announced.

Impact Kovacic will miss the Club World Cup in June and will spend the summer rehabilitating from surgery on his Achilles injury. He will aim to return fully fit for the first gameweek of the 2025-26 season.

JUNE 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sent off Tuesday Kovacic was shown a red card and sent off during Tuesday's clash with Bournemouth.

Impact Kovacic was shown a straight red card and handed his marching orders during the second half of Tuesday's clash. It's a tough end to the season for the midfielder, who will now miss the opening two matches of the next campaign as well as the final match against Fulham. Kovacic made 31 appearances (25 starts) scoring six goals and adding two assists, far and away his most productive season with Manchester City.

MAY 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Tuesday Kovacic (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Tuesday's match against Bournemouth.

Impact Kovacic was absent due to fitness levels Saturday but has made his return Tuesday, with the midfielder earning a spot in the starting XI immediately. He will look to continue in this role moving into the season finale, as he has started in the past five games he has been available for.

MAY 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Absent due to fitness levels Kovacic was not involved in Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace due to his fitness levels, accoridng to manager Pep Guardiola, per Freddie Pye of the City Xtra. "He doesn'...

Impact Kovacic was absent from Saturday's FA Cup final despite no notice of an injury, with it now known that it is due to his low fitness levels. This will now leave him questionable for Tuesday's match against Bournemouth. Both the club and player will hope to be fit, as he will likely see the start once healthy, with the manager claiming he was set to start in the FA Cup final before the injury.

MAY 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Misses FA Cup final Kovacic is out for Saturday's match against Crystal Palace due to undisclosed reasons.

Impact Kovacic is heading to the sidelines for Saturday's massive FA Cup tilt. This comes despite no reports of an injury, with more likely to be available soon. He is a regular starter as of late, so this is a massive loss, with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva left to lead the midfield.

MAY 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Man City's Haaland hopes for FA Cup success at the end of 'horrific' season

As “horrific” seasons go, Manchester City’s could still end on a high note

MAY 15, 2025 • Associated Press

Three shots against Wolves Kovacic generated three shots (zero on goal) and one chance created in Friday's 1-0 win versus Wolverhampton.

Impact Kovacic had a decent outing in the middle of the pack Friday, notching three shots and a chance created in the attack to go along with six tackles in the defense. He has now started in four of the club's past five league matches after a bit of time falling out of favor, notching two goal contributions during that span.

MAY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Man City beats Forest 2-0 to reach FA Cup final and keep trophy hopes alive

Manchester City reached the FA Cup final for the third year in a row by beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to maintain a chance of ending a dismal season wi...

APRIL 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Atletico Madrid join Arsenal, Man Utd & Chelsea in Viktor Gyokeres transfer battle as Diego Simeone considers bid for Man City's Mateo Kovacic in summer overhaul | Goal.com US Atletico Madrid will attempt to challenge Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd to the signing of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

APRIL 24, 2025 • GOAL.COM

Bags extra-time security goal Kovacic scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 win versus Everton.

Impact Kovacic saw another goal Saturday, making it two straight outings with a goal after scoring last outing against Crystal Palace, finding the back of the net in extra time against Everton to secure the win. This is his sixth goal of the season, with seven goal contributions in 27 league appearances. He did this only appearing off the bench, earning 12 minutes of play.

APRIL 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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