For the tenth time, Nogometni Sindikat organized the Football Trophy Award, in which the best players of the past season are chosen by the players and the professional staff of Croatian Football League clubs. Due to the epidemiological situation, no awards ceremony was organized this year, but the laureates were announced via social networks.
The best player of the HT First League for the 2021/2022 season, voted on by the players and coaches in the First League, is HNK Hajduk Split player Marko Livaja. Note that Livaja finished the season as the league’s top scorer with 28 goals in 34 appearances, and added seven assists. With his fantastic performances, he led Hajduk to win the Croatian Cup, and in the never more tense ending to the season, Hajduk finished in second place.
The captain of the Croatia national team, Luka Modrić, was chosen as the best Croatian football player last season. At the age of 36, he was one of Real Madrid’s biggest assets on the way to a new Champions League title (fifth overall) and the Spanish championship. This is Luka’s jubilee tenth award in this selection. Ivan Perišić (Inter) and Marko Livaja (HNK Hajduk) were also in the running.
The best young player is Lokomotiva winger Lukas Kacavenda. Stipe Biuk (HNK Hajduk) and Dion Drena Beljo (NK Istra 1961 / NK Osijek) were also in the running. The goalkeeper of the current champion Dinamo, Dominik Livaković, was chosen as the best goalkeeper in the HNL. He won this title last season as well.
The former Rijeka coach, Goran Tomić, was named the best coach. He led his team to the Cup final and fourth place in the Championship. Rijeka last season was characterized by attacking football, and a slight drop in form in the second half of the season kept them away from the title race. Valdas Dambrauskas (HNK Hajduk) and Silvijo Čabraja (NK Lokomotiva) were also in the running.
The best 11 players of the HT First League were also announced:
Goalkeeper: Dominik Livaković (GNK Dinamo Zagreb)
Defenders: Stefan Ristovski (GNK Dinamo Zagreb), Josip Sutalo (GNK Dinamo Zagreb), Josip Elez (HNK Hajduk Split), Petar Bockaj (NK Osijek / GNK Dinamo Zagreb)
Midfielders: Arijan Ademi (GNK Dinamo Zagreb), Filip Krovinovic (HNK Hajduk Split), Domagoj Pavicic (HNK Rijeka)
Forwards: Josip Drmic (HNK Rijeka), Mislav Orsic (GNK Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Livaja (HNK Hajduk Split).
Rujevica in Rijeka was declared the best stadium.
ŽNK Split player Aida Hadžić was chosen as the best female footballer.
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