Bayern Munich talent Filip Pavić chooses Croatia over Germany

Filip Pavić

Sixteen-year-old Bayern Munich defender Filip Pavić has decided to represent Croatia at upcoming international competitions despite also being eligible to play for Germany.

Pavić, who was born on 19 January 2010 in Freising, holds both Croatian and German citizenship through his Croatian parents and birth in Germany. The versatile defender can play as a centre-back, right-back and defensive midfielder.

The highly-rated youngster made headlines earlier this year when he made his debut for FC Bayern Munich in the Champions League on 18 March, replacing Croatian international Josip Stanišić in the 72nd minute.

In doing so, Pavić became Bayern’s youngest-ever player to appear in the Champions League and the third-youngest player in the history of the competition.

Speaking about his decision, Pavić told the Croatian Football Federation he felt gratitude and respect towards Germany, where he grew up and developed as a footballer, while also feeling a strong connection to his Croatian roots.

“I have great gratitude, respect and love for Germany, where I grew up and live, where I learned to play football and where I have the opportunity to develop at one of the world’s biggest clubs, Bayern, which provides excellent conditions and strong support for young players,” Pavić said.

“At the same time, I grew up in a Croatian family, I strongly feel those Croatian roots and it is my wish to represent Croatia at international level.”

Croatian Football Federation technical director Stipe Pletikosa welcomed the decision, describing Pavić as an exceptional talent with a bright future ahead.

Pletikosa, together with Croatian Football Federation chief instructor Petar Krpan, met Pavić and his family in Munich on Monday.

“We are extremely pleased with Filip’s decision and grateful to him and his family for the open and honest communication,” Pletikosa said.

“We never want to pressure anyone into playing for Croatia, but it is our responsibility to follow every talented player and present how our system works, the values the Croatian national team is built upon and how we see a player’s development within our selections.”

He added that Pavić is already involved with Bayern’s first team at the age of 16 and described him as a versatile, intelligent and technically gifted footballer with outstanding potential.

Croatian Football Federation president Marijan Kustić also welcomed the teenager into what he described as the Croatian football family.

“I wished Filip great success in the Croatian shirt and thank him and his family for their trust and decision, which makes everyone in Croatian football very happy,” Kustić said.

16-godišnji branič @FCBayern Filip Pavić, najmlađi igrač bavarskog velikana koji je nastupio u Ligi prvaka te ukupno treći najmlađi u povijesti tog elitnog natjecanja, odlučio je na predstojećim međunarodnim natjecanjima predstavljati Hrvatsku! 🇭🇷❤️

🔜 Za Pavića nema formalnih… pic.twitter.com/ropD21wguF

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) May 11, 2026

Krpan added that Croatia was gaining not only an excellent player but also a mature, motivated and intelligent young person with significant potential.

There are no formal obstacles preventing Pavić from immediately representing Croatia’s youth national teams, making him eligible for upcoming tournaments, including the UEFA Under-17 European Championship in Estonia.