Stipe Pletikosa
Stipe Pletikosa is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. As of 29 July 2021, he works at the Croatian Football Federation as the technical director of the national senior and under-21 teams.
Pletikosa began his professional career with Hajduk Split in Croatia, transferred to Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, then joined Spartak Moscow in 2007. After spending one season with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, he returned to Russia in 2011 with Rostov, then moved to Deportivo de La Coruña of La Liga in 2015, where he retired.
Pletikosa made his international debut for Croatia in 1999, and went on to represent the country in five major tournaments. He is the fourth-most capped player in the history of the Croatia national team after Luka Modrić, Darijo Srna and Ivan Perišić, having made 114 appearances. Pletikosa retired from international football following the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Playing career
Club
On 31 August 2010, Pletikosa signed a season-long loan with Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League. In July 2011, he began a trial at Scottish Premier League club Celtic, playing in friendly matches against Cardiff City and against Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 6 August 2011, Pletikosa signed a two-year contract with Russian Premier League club Rostov. On 20 December 2015, he signed for La Liga club Deportivo de La Coruña on a six-month contract to replace the injured Fabricio Agosto Ramírez.International
On 6 February 2013, Pletikosa played his 100th international match for Croatia, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 defeat against South Korea.In the opening match of the 2014 World Cup, played on 12 June against hosts Brazil, a penalty was given against Croatia that resulted in a 11 draw. Pletikosa made contact with Neymar's spot kick, but could not prevent it from going in. Croatia eventually lost 31. On 17 July 2014, following the World Cup, Pletikosa announced his retirement from the national team.