Josip Šutalo was born on 28 February 2000 in Croatia. He developed at Dinamo Zagreb, the flagship club of Croatian football, where he established himself as a technically assured centre-back with the physical attributes and composure to develop into a top-level defender. His performances in the Croatian First Football League and European competition caught the attention of Ajax Amsterdam, who signed him in 2023.
At Ajax he joined a club in transition, navigating a challenging period for the Dutch giants after years of dominance in the Eredivisie and European knockout rounds. His time in Amsterdam gave him exposure to a high-profile environment, consistent top-flight competition and the Eredivisie — one of Europe's traditional development leagues — while the club rebuilt around younger talent.
For Croatia he has been part of the emerging generation of defenders being groomed to take over from the more experienced names in the squad. His composure on the ball, ability to play out from the back and defensive solidity make him a strong candidate to become a fixture in Croatia's backline for years to come.
Šutalo represents a modern centre-back profile: left-footed, technically refined, comfortable with possession-based defending and capable of stepping up to meet the demands of top-level international football.
At the 2026 World Cup in North America, he is part of Croatia's defensive setup, gathering international experience as the squad navigates a generational shift in its defensive line.