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Branislav Ivanović facts for kids

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Branislav Ivanović
Branislav Ivanović 2018.jpg
Ivanović with Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2018
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-02-22) 22 February 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth Sremska Mitrovica, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.85 m
Playing position Defender
Youth career
Srem
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 Srem 19 (2)
2004–2006 OFK Beograd 55 (5)
2006–2008 Lokomotiv Moscow 54 (5)
2008–2017 Chelsea 261 (22)
2017–2020 Zenit Saint Petersburg 90 (8)
2020–2021 West Bromwich Albion 13 (0)
Total 492 (42)
National team
2003–2007 Serbia U21 38 (4)
2005–2018 Serbia 105 (13)
Honours
Men's football
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Representing  Serbia and Montenegro
2004 Germany
Representing  Serbia
2007 Netherlands
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Branislav Ivanović (born 22 February 1984) is a Serbian former professional footballer. He was a very flexible defender. Ivanović could play as a right back or a centre back.

Ivanović started his career with his hometown club, FK Srem. In 2004, he joined top division team OFK Beograd. Two years later, he moved to Russia to play for Lokomotiv Moscow. There, he won his first trophy, the 2007 Russian Cup.

In January 2008, Ivanović joined English Premier League club Chelsea. He won nine major trophies with Chelsea. These included three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Europa League. He played 377 games and scored 34 goals for Chelsea. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year twice. In February 2017, he returned to Russia to play for Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Ivanović first played for Serbia in June 2005. He became the country's most capped player, with over 100 games and 13 goals. He played for Serbia in their first international tournament as an independent country, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He became the captain of the national team in 2012. He also played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Early Life and First Steps in Football

Branislav Ivanović grew up in a family that loved sports. His father, Rade, was also a defender for their local team, FK Srem. Branislav played youth football in his hometown of Sremska Mitrovica. Until he was 15, he played as a striker, which is an attacking position. Then, he changed to playing in defence, where he became famous.

Starting His Professional Career

Ivanović began his professional football journey with FK Srem in 2002. His strong performances quickly caught the eye of bigger clubs in Serbia.

Playing for OFK Beograd

In December 2003, Ivanović joined OFK Beograd. He was 19 years old at the time. At first, he found it a bit tough. But his amazing physical strength helped him become the team's main right back.

During his time with OFK Beograd, his team did very well. They even reached the semi-finals of the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup. After two years, clubs from all over Europe started to show interest in him.

Moving to Lokomotiv Moscow

Ivanovic
Ivanović in 2007

In January 2006, Ivanović moved to Russia. He signed with Russian Premier League club Lokomotiv Moscow.

First Season in Russia (2006)

Ivanović quickly became a key player for Lokomotiv Moscow. He played in 28 league matches and scored two goals. He helped Lokomotiv challenge for the league title that season.

Winning the Russian Cup (2007)

In his second season, Ivanović was a very important part of the team. He played in 26 league games and scored three goals. Lokomotiv Moscow won the Russian Cup in 2007. They beat FC Moscow 1–0 in the final match.

Joining Chelsea Football Club

Branislav Ivanović - action
Ivanović in action against Newcastle United in 2010.

On 15 January 2008, Chelsea announced they had agreed to sign Ivanović. Many big clubs like Milan and Juventus also wanted him. The transfer fee was about £9 million. Ivanović signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea. He was given the number 2 shirt.

First Six Months at Chelsea

Even though he was expensive, Ivanović did not play for Chelsea's first team in his first six months. The club said he needed to get fitter. Ivanović later said this was the hardest time in his career.

Breaking into the Team (2008–09)

Ivanović was close to leaving Chelsea before the 2008–09 season. But his teammate Andriy Shevchenko encouraged him to stay. Eight months after joining, Ivanović finally played his first game for Chelsea. It was a League Cup match against Portsmouth.

He soon made his Premier League debut against Aston Villa. He also played his first Champions League game. He scored his first goals for Chelsea against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final. He scored two goals with headers from corners. These goals helped Chelsea win the game. This made him a fan favorite, and they called him "Branislav 'two goal' Ivanović."

Becoming a Regular Starter (2009–10)

Ivanovic 2
Ivanović in action for Chelsea in 2010

Under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, Ivanović started the 2009–10 season. He played in the Community Shield against Manchester United. He scored his first Premier League goal against Bolton Wanderers. After a teammate got injured, Ivanović became a regular choice in Chelsea's defence. He was even named in the 2009–10 PFA Team of the Year.

Continued Success (2010–11)

Chelsea players 4717
Ivanović with Salomon Kalou in action against Spartak Moscow in 2010.

Ivanović often played as a centre back due to injuries to other players. He scored his first goal of the season against Blackburn Rovers. He also scored two goals in a Champions League match against Spartak Moscow. In February 2011, he signed a new long-term contract with Chelsea. He was also nominated for Chelsea Player of the Year.

Winning the Champions League (2011–12)

Ivanović scored a crucial goal in the Champions League against Napoli. This goal helped Chelsea win the game and move forward in the competition. He also helped Chelsea beat Benfica and Barcelona. However, he missed the final against Bayern Munich because of a suspension. Chelsea won the Champions League that year. He was again nominated for Chelsea Player of the Year.

Europa League Hero (2012–13)

Ivanović played in all of Chelsea's pre-season games. He scored early goals in the Premier League against Wigan and Reading. He scored his first ever League Cup goal against Leeds United.

In the Europa League final on 15 May 2013, Ivanović scored the winning goal. It was a header in the last minutes of the game. This gave Chelsea a 2–1 victory over Benfica. This goal secured Chelsea's second European title in a row. Ivanović was named the Man of the Match for his amazing performance.

More Premier League Action (2013–14)

Ivanović became a very important player for new manager José Mourinho. He played in almost every game. He scored his first goal of the season against Aston Villa. He also scored the only goal in Chelsea's away win against Manchester City.

Double Title Win (2014–15)

Chelsea 1 Man City 1 (15791681034)
Ivanović in 2015

Ivanović scored Chelsea's third goal in their first game of the season against Burnley. He scored the winning goal against Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final. He also scored against Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain. On 1 March, he played the full game in the League Cup final, which Chelsea won 2–0. He was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. A week later, Chelsea won the Premier League title.

Vice-Captain and Milestones (2015–16)

Branislav Ivanović (2 May 2016) (cropped)
Ivanović in 2016

Ivanović was named Chelsea's new vice-captain. He scored his first goal of the season against Sunderland. In February 2016, he signed a new contract with Chelsea. He scored a winning header against Southampton. Ivanović played his 350th game for Chelsea in March, becoming one of only four overseas players to do so. He often served as team captain when John Terry was injured.

Final Chelsea Season (2016–17)

Ivanović continued to play as a right-back at the start of the season. However, he was later replaced by Victor Moses. Ivanović scored his last goal for Chelsea in an FA Cup match against Brentford.

Moving to Zenit Saint Petersburg

Zen-Ars (10)
Ivanović in 2017

On 1 February 2017, Ivanović joined Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract. He made his Zenit debut in a Europa League match against Anderlecht.

During his time at Zenit, Ivanović played 125 games and scored 12 goals. He was a strong defender and captained the team. He led Zenit to win two league championships in a row (2018–19 and 2019–20). He also won the Russian Super Cup.

Short Spell at West Bromwich Albion

On 15 September 2020, West Bromwich Albion signed Ivanović for one year. He played 13 times for the club in the Premier League. West Bromwich Albion was relegated to the EFL Championship that season. Ivanović left the club in May 2021 when his contract ended.

International Career for Serbia

Playing for the Under-21 Team

Ivanović first played for Serbia and Montenegro's under-21 team in December 2003. He scored his first goal just two days later. He played in the 2006 U-21 Championships. He was also the captain of the independent Serbia under-21 team. They reached the final of the 2007 U-21 Championships. In total, he played 38 games for the under-21 team.

Representing the Senior National Team

Cos-Serb (2)
Ivanović playing for Serbia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Ivanović earned his first cap for the senior team on 8 June 2005. This was in a friendly match against Italy. He scored his first international goal on 12 September 2007 against Portugal. This goal helped Serbia get a 1–1 draw.

He was a regular starter for Serbia during the 2010 World Cup qualification. He scored three goals and helped Serbia reach the finals in South Africa. In June 2010, he was part of Serbia's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played every minute of their group stage matches.

On 28 February 2012, Ivanović scored in his first game as captain. This was a friendly win against Armenia. In 2012 and 2013, he was named Serbian Footballer of the Year. He is the only Serbian player to win this award two years in a row. In June 2018, he was in the final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He played two matches there. He became the player with the most appearances for the Serbian national team, with 105 games.

How Branislav Ivanović Played

Ivanović was known for his amazing physical strength. He was tall, brave, and very strong. This helped him score many important goals with his head. He was also good at finishing shots, which is unusual for a defender. Former Chelsea manager José Mourinho even used him as a striker sometimes when the team needed a goal.

His strong defending made him a tough opponent. He was a very flexible defender and could play anywhere across the back line. He was often used as a centre-back, as well as his usual role as a right-back. He was also known for his strong tackles and being very consistent. Even though he wasn't the fastest player, he was a great leader. His former manager Mourinho called him a "fantastic character."

Personal Life

Branislav Ivanović's nickname is "Bane." He is married to Nataša, who was his neighbor in Sremska Mitrovica. They have four children together. He is a member of the Serbian Orthodox Church in London. His uncle, Đorđe Milovanović, was also a footballer. His cousin, Dejan Milovanović, is also a professional footballer.

He is friends with famous Serbian tennis players like Novak Djokovic, Jelena Janković, and Ana Ivanovic.

Career Statistics

Club

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Srem 2002–03 Second League of Serbia and Montenegro 3 0 3 0
2003–04 Second League of Serbia and Montenegro 16 2 16 2
Total 19 2 19 2
OFK Beograd 2003–04 First League of Serbia and Montenegro 13 0 1 0 0 0 14 0
2004–05 First League of Serbia and Montenegro 27 2 2 1 6 0 35 3
2005–06 First League of Serbia and Montenegro 15 3 1 0 2 1 18 4
Total 55 5 4 1 8 1 67 7
Lokomotiv Moscow 2006 Russian Premier League 28 2 2 0 2 1 32 3
2007 Russian Premier League 26 3 7 0 6 1 39 4
Total 54 5 9 0 8 2 71 7
Chelsea 2007–08 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09 Premier League 16 0 4 0 2 0 4 2 26 2
2009–10 Premier League 28 1 3 0 3 0 6 0 1 0 41 1
2010–11 Premier League 34 4 3 0 0 0 10 2 1 0 48 6
2011–12 Premier League 29 3 5 0 1 0 10 2 45 5
2012–13 Premier League 34 5 6 1 3 1 12 1 4 0 59 8
2013–14 Premier League 36 3 2 0 0 0 11 0 1 0 50 3
2014–15 Premier League 38 4 0 0 4 1 7 1 49 6
2015–16 Premier League 33 2 4 0 1 0 4 0 1 0 43 2
2016–17 Premier League 13 0 2 1 1 0 16 1
Total 261 22 29 2 15 2 64 8 8 0 377 34
Zenit Saint Petersburg 2016–17 Russian Premier League 10 1 0 0 1 0 11 1
2017–18 Russian Premier League 27 2 0 0 11 3 38 5
2018–19 Russian Premier League 28 1 1 0 12 1 41 2
2019–20 Russian Premier League 25 4 3 0 6 0 1 0 35 4
Total 90 8 4 0 30 4 1 0 125 12
West Bromwich Albion 2020–21 Premier League 13 0 1 0 1 0 15 0
Career total 492 42 47 3 16 2 110 15 9 0 674 62

International

National team Year Apps Goals
Serbia and Montenegro 2005 1 0
Serbia 2006 2 0
2007 6 1
2008 8 2
2009 11 1
2010 10 0
2011 9 1
2012 10 2
2013 10 0
2014 9 1
2015 7 2
2016 9 2
2017 8 0
2018 5 1
Total 105 13

International Goals

Serbia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Ivanović goal.
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 12 September 2007 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal 5  Portugal 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
2 10 September 2008 Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, France 14  France 1–2 1–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 11 October 2008 Marakana Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia 15  Lithuania 1–0 3–0
4 28 March 2009 Stadionul Farul, Constanța, Romania 20  Romania 3–1 3–2
5 7 October 2011 Marakana Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia 44  Italy 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
6 28 February 2012 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus 48  Armenia 2–0 2–0 Friendly
7 11 September 2012 Karađorđe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia 54  Wales 5–1 6–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 31 May 2014 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, United States 70  Panama 1–0 1–1 Friendly
9 7 June 2015 NV Arena, Sankt Pölten, Austria 78  Azerbaijan 1–0 4–1
10 3–1
11 31 May 2016 Karađorđe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia 86  Israel 1–0 3–1
12 6 October 2016 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova 89  Moldova 2–0 3–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 9 June 2018 Liebenauer Stadium, Graz, Austria 103  Bolivia 4–0 5–1 Friendly

Honours and Awards

Lokomotiv Moscow

  • Russian Cup: 2006–07

Chelsea

Zenit Saint Petersburg

Serbia and Montenegro U21

Serbia U21

  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2007

Individual

  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2007
  • PFA Team of the Year: 2009–10 Premier League, 2014–15 Premier League
  • Serbian Player of the Year: 2012, 2013
  • UEFA Europa League final Man of the Match: 2013
  • FIFPro World XI 4th team: 2014
  • FIFPro World XI 5th team: 2013, 2015
  • ESM Team of the Year: 2014–15
  • UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2014–15
  • UEFA Euro Under-21 Dream Team
  • Russian Premier League Centre-back of the Season: 2018–19

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