Ivan Rakitic believes it is time for Croatia "to do something serious" on the international stage.
Rakitic, 28, is part of one of the strongest sides Croatia have had in years, with Ante Cacic's team also boasting names such as Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Perisic.
The nation enjoyed their most successful spell in the 1990s, reaching the quarter finals of Euro '96 and finishing third at the 1998 World Cup, and Barcelona midfielder Rakitic feels it is time for the current crop to deliver something similar at Euro 2016.
"It is true that we have [had] a lot of years together," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph. "I was saying to Luka [Modric] that it was time to do something serious.
"This Euros will be our best quality in recent years. We have a nice mix of old and young players in big clubs. This is fine, playing in the strongest clubs, but we need to show it on the field."
Croatia kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Turkey on Sunday when Rakitic will find himself coming up against Barca teammate Arda Turan.
And Rakitic feels his side would do well to stop Turan if they want to achieve a positive result in their Group D opener.
"His quality could fill a library," Rakitic said. "We must be prepared because he is very dangerous."