Marko Babić (footballer)

For the soldier of the same name, see Marko Babić (soldier).
Marko Babić
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-01-28) 28 January 1981
Place of birth Osijek, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Left midfielder / full-back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Osijek 16 (0)
2000–2007 Bayer 04 Leverkusen 144 (13)
2007–2009 Real Betis 12 (0)
2009 Hertha BSC 8 (0)
2009–2010 Real Zaragoza 14 (0)
2010–2012 Osijek 26 (4)
2013 LASK Linz 8 (0)
Total 228 (17)
National team‡
1997 Croatia U15 1 (0)
1996–1999 Croatia U17 12 (2)
1999–2000 Croatia U18 3 (0)
1999–2000 Croatia U19 8 (4)
2000–2001 Croatia U20 3 (0)
2002–2004 Croatia U21 9 (3)
2002–2008 Croatia 49 (3)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 July 2013.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21 May 2011

Marko Babić (born 28 January 1981 in Osijek) is a Croatian international footballer. He primary plays as left midfielder, but is also often deployed as a left-back.

Babić began his senior career with Osijek in 1997. However, he only made 16 league appearances before moving to Germany, and joining Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He became a regular for the club, and made 144 league appearances before joining Spanish side Real Betis. He was less successful here, and made 12 league appearances in two years, whilst his spells at Hertha BSC and Real Zaragoza were brief. In 2010, Babić returned to Osijek, but struggled to re-establish himself, and made just 26 league appearances in two years. A switch to LASK Linz followed in 2013, but this yielded just eight league games before he left the club.

Having represented Croatia at under-15, under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-20 levels between 1996 and 2001, Babić made his under-21 and senior international debut in 2002, and made 49 appearances for the senior international appearances. However, he was omitted from Croatia's EURO 2008 squad, and has not played since.

Career

Club career

Babić made his debut with NK Osijek where he spent three seasons. In 2000, the young midfielder completed his move to Bayer Leverkusen where he joined the German outfit's Croatian contingent. He played for the club during their loss to Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final.

He was offered a new contract in 2003.[1]

Real Betis presented the player to the press and fans on 17 July 2007. Early reports suggested he had signed on a free transfer as his contract had ended.[2] On 23 July 2007 Babić made his Betis debut in a friendly game against CD San Fernando. His competitive debut came in the La Liga season against Recreativo de Huelva on 26 August 2007.

In January 2009, Babić left Spain to play for Hertha BSC on a free transfer and gave up the non-EU quota to Ricardo Oliveira.[3] He left Hertha six months later. On 8 August 2009 he signed a two-year contract with Real Zaragoza.[4] On 6 September 2010 his contract was terminated.[5] On 2 March 2011, Babić signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with NK Osijek.[6]

International career

Babić made his Croatian national team debut in May 2002 against Hungary. Babić was part of the Croatian roster at Euro 2004, but did not play in any games. He played all three games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, stationed as a left wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation. He was a surprise omission from Slaven Bilić's Euro 2008 squad.

International goals

Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 June 2005 Vasil Levski, Sofia  Bulgaria
1 – 0
3 – 1
 World Cup 2006 Qualifying
2 23 May 2006 Ernst Happel, Vienna  Austria
3 – 1
4 – 1
 Friendly
3 28 May 2006 Gradski vrt, Osijek  Iran
2 – 2
2 – 2
 Friendly

Honours

Osijek
Bayer Leverkusen

References

  1. ↑ "Babic lengthens Leverkusen stay". UEFA.com. 24 November 2003. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  2. ↑ "Babić to bid Levekusen adieu". UEFA.com. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  3. ↑ [http://www.herthabsc.de/index.php?id=15702&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=4547&tx_ttnews[backPid]=15546&cHash=26225687ac "Hertha sign Marko Babic"]. Hertha BSC. 28 January 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  4. ↑ "Babic, sexto fichaje de la temporada" (in Spanish). realzaragoza.com. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
  5. ↑ "Babic y Songo'o se desvinculan del Real Zaragoza" (in Spanish). 6 September 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  6. ↑ Plavčić, Mario (2 March 2011). "Babić: Pomoći ću mladima". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2 March 2011.
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