Jan Oblak facts for kids
Oblak warming up for Atlético Madrid in 2019
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jan Oblak | ||
| Date of birth | 7 January 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Škofja Loka, Slovenia | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
|
Current team
|
Atlético Madrid | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2003 | Ločan | ||
| 2003–2005 | Olimpija | ||
| 2005–2009 | Olimpija Ljubljana | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2010 | Olimpija Ljubljana | 34 | (0) |
| 2010–2014 | Benfica | 16 | (0) |
| 2010 | → Beira-Mar (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Olhanense (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | → União de Leiria (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | → Rio Ave (loan) | 28 | (0) |
| 2013 | Benfica B | 2 | (0) |
| 2014– | Atlético Madrid | 369 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2008 | Slovenia U15 | 1 | (0) |
| 2009 | Slovenia U16 | 2 | (0) |
| 2010–2012 | Slovenia U20 | 4 | (0) |
| 2009–2013 | Slovenia U21 | 18 | (0) |
| 2012– | Slovenia | 77 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 June 2025 |
|||
Jan Oblak, born on January 7, 1993, is a professional football player from Slovenia. He is a goalkeeper for the Atlético Madrid club and is also the captain of the Slovenia national team. Many people consider him one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Oblak joined the Portuguese club Benfica when he was 17 years old. He was part of the team that won three major trophies in the 2013–14 season. In 2014, he moved to Atlético Madrid for €16 million, which was a record fee for a goalkeeper in La Liga at that time.
In the 2015–16 season, he won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for being the best goalkeeper. He set a new record by letting in only 18 goals. He won this award three more times in the following seasons, and then again in 2021 and 2025, making it a record six trophies. Oblak was also nominated for the Ballon d'Or awards in 2017 and 2018 because of his excellent play.
He has played over 450 games for Atlético Madrid and has helped the club win four trophies. This includes the La Liga title in the 2020–21 season. Oblak first played for the senior Slovenian national team in 2012. He has been named Slovenian Footballer of the Year eight times. He also played for Slovenia's youth teams, from under-15 to under-21. He represented the senior team at UEFA Euro 2024.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting at Olimpija
Jan Oblak was born in Škofja Loka, Slovenia. He started playing football at age five for his hometown club, Ločan. When he was ten, he joined the Olimpija youth academy. He stayed there until the club was dissolved in 2005.
He then moved to a new club, which later became Olimpija Ljubljana in 2008. In 2009, Oblak turned down an offer from Italian club Empoli. He chose to stay with Olimpija Ljubljana and signed a contract until 2011. On May 17, 2009, at just 16 years old, Oblak made his first professional appearance for Olimpija Ljubljana. His team won 7–2 against Mura 05. Olimpija Ljubljana then moved up to the top league, PrvaLiga, for the 2009–10 season. In that season, Oblak was the main goalkeeper and played almost every game.
Time at Benfica
On June 14, 2010, Oblak signed with the Portuguese club Benfica. He was immediately loaned out to other top-level clubs, first to Beira-Mar in August 2010, and then to Olhanense in January 2011.
Benfica loaned Oblak again to another Portuguese team, União de Leiria, for the 2011–12 season. He played his first league game for them on January 15, 2012. In July 2013, there was a misunderstanding about his contract with Benfica, but he signed an extension until 2018.
During the 2013–14 season, Oblak became Benfica's main goalkeeper. He kept many clean sheets (meaning he didn't let any goals in). He was especially good in a 2–0 win against Porto and a 0–0 draw against Juventus in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. He was named the league's Best Goalkeeper of the Year on July 6, 2014.
Joining Atlético Madrid
.jpg)
On July 16, 2014, Atlético Madrid announced they had agreed to sign Oblak from Benfica. Atlético paid €16 million for him, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in La Liga history at that time. Oblak signed a six-year deal to replace Thibaut Courtois. When he was introduced on July 22, 2014, Oblak said he was there to help the team achieve great results.
First Zamora Trophy and Champions League Final
Oblak's first game for Atlético was on September 16, 2014, in a 3–2 loss to Olympiacos in the Champions League. He got his first clean sheet in a Copa del Rey match on December 3, 2014. On March 17, 2015, he came into a Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen when the main goalkeeper was injured. He kept a clean sheet and saved a penalty in the shoot-out, helping Atlético win.
In February 2016, Oblak signed a new contract until 2021. On May 3, 2016, he saved a penalty from Thomas Müller in the Champions League semi-finals. Atlético reached the final, but they lost to Real Madrid in a penalty shoot-out. Even so, he was chosen for the Champions League squad of the season. He also won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper in La Liga, letting in only 18 goals in 38 games, which tied a 22-year-old record.
Europa League Title and More Awards
On March 15, 2017, Oblak made three amazing saves in a row during a Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen. This helped Atlético get a 0–0 draw and move to the next round. He was again included in the Champions League squad of the season and won his second straight Ricardo Zamora Trophy. He was also nominated for the 2017 Ballon d'Or award.
On January 28, 2018, Oblak played his 100th league game for Atlético. In those 100 games, he had 59 clean sheets and only let in 54 goals. In the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final, Oblak kept a clean sheet as his team won 3–0 against Olympique de Marseille. This was his first European title. He also won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the third time in a row. He was the first goalkeeper to win the La Liga Best Goalkeeper award three times.
On November 6, 2018, Oblak kept his 100th clean sheet for Atlético in a 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund. He achieved this in just 178 official games. On April 17, 2019, he signed a new contract with the club until 2023. At the end of the season, Oblak won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the fourth time in a row, matching a record. He also won the La Liga Best Goalkeeper award for the fourth time.
Clean Sheet Records and First La Liga Title
Before the 2019–20 season, Oblak was named vice-captain of the team. On October 21, 2019, he was nominated for the first Yashin Trophy, an award for the best goalkeepers. On December 6, 2019, Oblak kept a clean sheet against Villarreal. This broke the club record for most clean sheets, reaching 96 in his 169th league game.
On March 11, 2020, Atlético Madrid beat Liverpool 3–2 in the Champions League. Oblak, playing his 50th Champions League game, was named Man of the Match for making nine saves. On June 17, 2020, Oblak kept a clean sheet in a 5–0 win against Osasuna. This was his 182nd league game, making him the fastest goalkeeper to reach 100 clean sheets in La Liga history. He also became the first non-Spanish goalkeeper to do so. On June 27, 2020, Oblak played his 250th game for Atlético.
In the 2020–21 season, Oblak helped Atlético Madrid win the La Liga title. He had 18 clean sheets in 38 matches and saved 80% of shots. He also won the Zamora Trophy for the fifth time, matching the record of other great goalkeepers. He was also named La Liga Player of the Season for the first time.
Appearance Records and New Contract
On August 15, 2021, Oblak played his 304th game for Atlético Madrid. This made him the goalkeeper with the most appearances for the club. In July 2022, it was announced that Oblak had extended his contract with Atlético Madrid until 2028.
On May 9, 2023, Oblak played his 390th game for Atlético, becoming the club's most-capped foreign player. On September 24, he played his 300th La Liga match in a win over Real Madrid. He was the seventh Atlético Madrid player and fifth foreign goalkeeper to reach this milestone.
On March 13, 2024, Oblak saved two penalties in a shoot-out win against Inter Milan in the Champions League. He became the first goalkeeper in Champions League history to win three penalty shoot-outs with one club. In a league game on October 6, 2024, Oblak made an amazing double save against Real Sociedad, which earned him the La Liga Save of the Month award for October.
International Career
Oblak was first called to the Slovenia under-21 team in August 2009. He made his debut for them on September 9, 2009, against France.
On September 11, 2012, Oblak played his first game for the senior national team. It was a 2–1 loss against Norway in a World Cup qualifier. He became the main goalkeeper for the national team after Samir Handanović retired from international football in 2015. On September 6, 2019, Oblak was the captain of Slovenia for the first time.
Playing Style
Many experts believe Oblak is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is tall, athletic, and strong. He is known for his speed, quick reactions, and agility. He is also very good at reading the game and coming off his line to catch crosses. This helps him control his area well. People also praise his hard work, excellent positioning, footwork, and ability to stop shots. He is known for being calm, consistent, and a great leader who gives his team confidence.
Personal Life
Jan Oblak's father, Matjaž Oblak, is Slovenian, and his mother, Stojanka Majkić, is Bosnian Serb. His older sister, Teja Oblak (born 1990), is a professional basketball player. She is also a member of the Slovenia national basketball team. Since 2023, Oblak has been in a relationship with Serbian tennis player Olga Danilović.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Olimpija Ljubljana | 2008–09 | 2. SNL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2009–10 | 1. SNL | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 33 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 0 | |||||
| Benfica | 2010–11 | Primeira Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2013–14 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 26 | 0 | |||
| Total | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| Beira-Mar (loan) | 2010–11 | Primeira Liga | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| Olhanense (loan) | 2010–11 | Primeira Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| União de Leiria (loan) | 2011–12 | Primeira Liga | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 | ||
| Rio Ave (loan) | 2012–13 | Primeira Liga | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 0 | ||
| Benfica B | 2013–14 | Segunda Liga | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Atlético Madrid | 2014–15 | La Liga | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2015–16 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | — | 51 | 0 | ||||
| 2016–17 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | — | 41 | 0 | ||||
| 2017–18 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | — | 49 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | — | 46 | 0 | ||||
| 2021–22 | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | 28 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | — | 38 | 0 | ||||
| 2023–24 | 38 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |||
| Total | 369 | 0 | 18 | 0 | — | 100 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 495 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 465 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 607 | 0 | ||
International Appearances
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovenia | 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 77 | 0 | |
Awards and Trophies
Olimpija Ljubljana
- Slovenian Second League: 2008–09 (League Winners)
Benfica
- Primeira Liga: 2013–14 (Portuguese League)
- Taça de Portugal: 2013–14 (Portuguese Cup)
- Taça da Liga: 2013–14 (Portuguese League Cup)
Atlético Madrid
- La Liga: 2020–21 (Spanish League)
- Supercopa de España: 2014 (Spanish Super Cup); runner-up: 2019–20
- UEFA Europa League: 2017–18 (European Club Competition)
- UEFA Super Cup: 2018 (European Super Cup)
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2015–16 (European Club Competition)
Individual Awards
- Primeira Liga Best Goalkeeper: 2013–14
- La Liga Zamora Trophy: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2024–25 (Award for best goalkeeper in La Liga)
- La Liga Team of the Season: 2015–16
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2019–20
- La Liga Best Goalkeeper: 2015–16
- UEFA La Liga Team of the Season: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
- UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2017–18
- Slovenian Footballer of the Year: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024
- Slovenian Youth Footballer of the Year: 2012, 2013
- La Liga Player of the Month: May 2021
- La Liga Save of the Season: 2024–25
- La Liga Save of the Month: October 2024
- La Liga Player of the Season: 2020–21
- ESM Team of the Year: 2020–21
See also
In Spanish: Jan Oblak para niños
