Marko Gobeljić
Serbian footballer (born 1992)
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Marko Gobeljić (Serbian Cyrillic: Марко Гобељић; born 13 September 1992) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a right back for Serbian SuperLiga club OFK Beograd.
|
Gobeljić with Red Star Belgrade in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Marko Gobeljić[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 13 September 1992[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Kraljevo, FR Yugoslavia[2] | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[3] | ||
| Position | Right back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | OFK Beograd | ||
| Number | 77 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bubamara Kraljevo | |||
| Sloga Kraljevo | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010–2014 | Sloga Kraljevo | 116 | (7) |
| 2014–2017 | Napredak Kruševac | 84 | (7) |
| 2017–2023 | Red Star Belgrade | 116 | (10) |
| 2023–2024 | Kifisia | 23 | (0) |
| 2024– | OFK Beograd | 53 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2016–2019 | Serbia | 3 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12 June 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 October 2019 | |||
Club career
Sloga Kraljevo
Gobeljić started training football with local football school Bubamara 1991,[4] and later passed all youth categories of Sloga Kraljevo. He had started playing with the first team as a bonus player in the 2010–11 season. In his debut season he played 27 league games and one Serbian Cup match, against Red Star Belgrade in front of a full Kraljevo City Stadium on 22 September 2010.[5][6] At the beginning of his senior career, he was mostly used as a midfielder, but he also appeared as a right-back in some matches during the spring half-season, after Jovica Vasilić left the club.[7]
For the 2011–12 season, after Sloga was promoted in the First League, he scored a total of three goals over the course of 31 league matches. He played most frequently as a central midfielder, but he also appeared as a right-back in some matches. At home 1–2 defeat against Čukarički, he played on stopper place, after Boban Dmitrović had been substituted out at the half-time. Previously he scored a goal in the same game.[8] Later, during the competition, he scored two more goals in matches against Proleter Novi Sad and OFK Mladenovac.[9]
During the 2012–13 season, Gobeljić continued playing primarily as a central midfielder until coach Neško Milovanović moved him to right-back before the end of the season. He was the most standard player of the season, making 32 First League appearances[10] and one cup appearance away against OFK Beograd, when Sloga lost 5–0.[11][12] Although he did not score a goal, he was nominated for the man of the match once that season.[2]
In the following season, the first team captain Aleksandar Božović dropped out of the starting eleven, with the more experienced Bojan Šejić replacing him on goal. Gobeljić got an armband as a vice-captain ahead Miloš Janićijević and Nemanja Miletić.[13] On 25 September 2013, Gobeljić scored a goal in a cup match against Vojvodina, which went into overtime after a 1–1 tie. He also scored against Srđan Žakula in the penalty series, although Sloga was eliminated after penalties.[14] as Sloga's captain he was nominated for man of the match.[15] Around this time he began playing more frequently as a utility player. He played mostly matches as a right-back during the season.
Napredak Kruševac
Gobeljić signed a contract with Napredak in July 2014,[16] and took number 77 jersey. He made his Serbian SuperLiga debut for Napredak in home defeat against Čukarički on 9 August 2014, when he replaced Ibrahima Mame N'Diaye at the beginning of second half.[17] He was recognized as one of the best players for the first half-season.[18][19] On 9 April 2015, Gobeljić scored his first goal for Napredak against Vojvodina, in what was Napredak's first ever win against Vojvodina in Novi Sad.[20][21] During the regular season, Gobeljić made 26 league and one cup appearance, scoring one goal total. Finally, he played both matches in the league play-off against Metalac Gornji Milanovac, after which Napredak was relegated from the SuperLiga.[22][23]
After Napredak was relegated to the Serbian First League, Gobeljić played all matches until the end of first half season. He started season as a right-back, but after Igor Zonjić joined the club, he moved back to the midfield. During the season, he was playing on both positions. He scored a goal in a match against ČSK Pivara on 19 March 2016.[24] After Napredak won the 2016 Serbian First League, he was also elected in the team of the season by Sportski žurnal, along with teammates Bojan Beljić and Ibrahima Mame N'Diaye.[25]
In summer 2016, before the start of new season, Gobeljić played several friendly matches and scored two goals, against Radnički Niš on 25 June,[26] and Radnik Surdulica on 16 July 2016.[27] He scored his first goal in the 2016-17 season from Miloš Vulić's assist[28] against Red Star Belgrade on 22 July 2016 at Rajko Mitić Stadium.[29] In the following league match against Partizan, Bojan Šaranov fouled Gobeljić for penalty kick, which Nenad Šljivić scored.[30] On 10 September 2016, he scored his second season goal against Čukarički, after which he was nominated man of the match and took a place in team of the fixture.[31] In October 2016, he extended his contract with Napredak to the summer 2018.[32] Gobeljić also scored a goal in the next fixture match, against Novi Pazar.[33] He scored against Partizan on 25 November 2016.[34] Gobeljić also scored three goals during the winter break-off season.[35] On 14 April 2017, he scored his last goal for Napredak that season against OFK Bačka.[36]
Red Star Belgrade
On 7 June 2017, Belgrade media reported about Gobeljić's signing with Red Star Belgrade, after his long-time friend Jovan Kastratović shared a picture of his contract on Instagram.[37] Gobeljić was officially promoted by club's sports director Mitar Mrkela two days later, penning a three-year contract.[38] He made his debut for Red Star in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the 2017–18 Europa League, substituting Ricardinho against Floriana.[9] Only minutes after taking Ricardinho's place, Gobeljić was sent off after one bad tackle on one of the opposing players.[39] He played his first eternal derby on 27 August 2017 as a left back.[40] He scored his first goal for Red Star in their 5–0 victory over Radnik Surdulica on 29 November 2017.[41]
On 13 May 2018, he made two assists in Red Star's 1–2 away win against Vojvodina as a right-back, and was named man of the match.[42][43][44] On 20 July 2018, Gobeljić lead the team as a captain in 3–0 victory over Dinamo Vranje, in the first fixture of the 2018–19 Serbian SuperLiga campaign.[45]
On 16 July 2019, Gobeljić got a red card after making a bad tackle on Sūduva defender Vaidas Slavickas during the first qualifying round of the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League.[46] Slavickas's leg broke in two different areas and had to undergo surgery.[46] Gobeljić visited him in the hospital to apologize.[46]
On 22 June 2020 he tested positive for COVID-19.[47]
On 25 May 2021, Gobeljić caused a controversy after Red Star's penalty shoot out win against Partizan Belgrade in the 2020–21 Serbian Cup final, lowering his shorts and making a cojones gesture towards Vladimir Stojković. Shortly after, Red Star apologized for the incident, claiming that Gobeljić will be punished for his actions.[48]
International career
Gobeljić was called by coach Slavoljub Muslin to the Serbia national team in September 2016[49] and he made his international debut in a friendly 3–0 loss to Qatar.[50] He also received a call for a friendly match against United States, on 29 January 2017.[51][52]
Style of play
Through the professional career, Gobeljić affirmed himself as a utility player.[53] He has started as a central midfielder being capable of playing left and right.[54] Playing with Sloga Kraljevo, he converted to right-back for a period, while playing for Napredak and Red Star.[38] In his third season with Napredak, manager Dragan Ivanović moved him upfield, where he spent mostly time as a second striker[55] and winger.[56] Joining Red Star Belgrade, Gobeljić changed many places on the field at the beginning, including left-back and defensive midfielder positions.[57]
Internationally, coach Slavoljub Muslin used him as a centre forward and attacking midfielder.[52]
At the age of 24, Gobeljić was described as one of the best and the most intelligent footballers in the Serbian domestic competition.[58] He is characterized by his abilities and passing skills.[59][60]
Career statistics
Club
- As of end od 2023–24 season[9]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sloga Kraljevo | 2010–11[2] | Serbian League West | 27 | 1 | 2[a] | 0 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 30 | 1 | |
| 2011–12 | Serbian First League | 31 | 3 | — | — | — | 31 | 3 | ||||
| 2012–13 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 0 | ||||
| 2013–14 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 27 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 116 | 7 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 121 | 8 | |||
| Napredak Kruševac | 2014–15 | Serbian SuperLiga | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 29 | 1 | |
| 2015–16 | Serbian First League | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 1 | |||
| 2016–17 | Serbian SuperLiga | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 5 | |||
| Total | 84 | 7 | 4 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 90 | 7 | |||
| Red Star Belgrade | 2017–18 | Serbian SuperLiga | 23 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10[d] | 0 | — | 36 | 1 | |
| 2018–19 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8[e] | 1 | — | 38 | 6 | |||
| 2019–20 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 12[e] | 0 | — | 32 | 2 | |||
| 2020–21 | 26 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 40 | 0 | |||
| 2021–22 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 2 | |||
| Total | 116 | 10 | 19 | 0 | 48 | 1 | — | 183 | 11 | |||
| Kifisia | 2023–24 | Super League Greece | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 339 | 24 | 28 | 1 | 48 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 418 | 26 | ||
- Including preliminary round against Radnički Niš and first round against Red Star Belgrade[6]
- Both appearances in the relegation play-off
- All appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
International
- As of 10 October 2019[62]
| Serbia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 |
Personal life
In August 2021, Gobeljić married Serbian singer Katarina Grujić.[63] She gave birth to their daughter in December the same year.[64]
Honours
- Sloga Kraljevo
- Napredak Kruševac
- Red Star Belgrade
- Serbian SuperLiga (6): 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- Serbian Cup (3): 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
Individual
- Serbian SuperLiga Player of the Week: 2022–23 (Round 14[65])