Why is Croatia player Josko Gvardiol wearing a mask against Morocco at World Cup 2022?

JOSKO GVARDIOL is one of the most sought-after talents in European football and has shown just why at the World Cup and he is in action again TODAY.

The RB Leipzig centre-back, 20, has attracted transfer interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid in recent months.

But he has remained loyal to the Bundesliga club, who are regulars in the Champions League.

And fans will have noticed the Croatia star is wearing an unfamiliar facial decoration during their World Cup campaign, which concludes in the third place playoff against Morocco.

Why is Josko Gvardiol wearing a mask?

Gvardiol was taken to hospital on November 10, during Leipzig’s 3-1 Bundesliga win over Freiburg.

He collided with team-mate Willi Orban in the 17th minute and injured his face.

Gvardiol wasn’t actually supposed to start the game but Abdou Diallo injured his knee in the warm-up.

Unfortunately for Gvardiol, he injured his face, with a nose and eye problem and left the pitch with a bloody nose.

Scans later showed he broke his nose and is therefore being forced to wear a face mask at the World Cup, with Croatia’s first game less than two weeks away.

RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose said: “I heard he has a broken nose.

“The eye is swollen. He looks like a boxer after 12 rounds against a tough opponent.”