Hrvoje Babec (born 28 July 1999) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for South Korean club FC Seoul.
Born in Virovitica, Babec grew up in the nearby village of Brezik, traveling to train with . He was noted early by scouts from bigger clubs and moved to NK Osijek. At the start of 2012 Babec then moved to the Hypo-LimaÃÂ football academy, run by former Croatia internationals Petar Krpan and Matko BabiÃÂ. After winning the national amateur club U-17 championship with the team, still 15 years old, he was scouted by foreign scouts and went to train with the Belgian RFC Seraing, and, since he couldn't be signed by them, moved forward after half a year later to France, to join the academy of RFC Seraing's partner club, FC Metz.
In Metz, Babec would go on to become the captain of the FC Metz U-19 team, getting his first taste of senior football, playing for Metz II. In 2018, following managerial advice, Babec left France, and went on trial with Dinamo Zagreb B, but the transfer fell through. In September 2018, then, looking for minutes, Babec moved to the Croatian third-tier club Vihor Jelisavac for one season.
On 14 July 2019, he signed with Gorica. Babec made his professional debut with Gorica in a 1âÂÂ1 Croatian First Football League win over NK Inter Zapreà ¡iàon 20 July 2019.
Babec was born in Croatia, and was called up to represent the Croatia U21 at the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.