Oblak among ten vets FIFA would like to see at World Cup
Ljubljana, 23 March - Jan Oblak, the first goalkeeper of the Slovenian men's football team, is among the ten veteran players mentioned by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) as deserving to appear at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ljubljana
Slovenian football goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Photo: Jure Makovec/STA
The mention of Oblak in the "10 World Cup-worthy veteran stars" article is not a surprise given the status of the 28 year-old from Škofja Loka has in the football world, mostly on the account of his performances for the Spanish club Atletico Madrid.
"The Slovenian captain, who finished third in the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper 2020 running, has been one of the best players in his position for many years," the article says.
It noted that the Slovenian had won the Samora trophy - awarded to the keeper with the lowest goal count for each game recognised in the Spanish La Liga - four consecutive seasons.
"When I was a boy, I saw Slovenia qualify for Euro 2000 and then the 2002 World Cup. For me, playing at a World Cup would be the fulfilment of a childhood dream, so I'm going to do everything I can to achieve it," Oblak told FIFA back in December.
The honourable mention comes as Slovenia are opening the qualifiers for the World Cup against Croatia in Ljubljana on Wednesday.