Marcelo Brozović facts for kids

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Marcelo Brozović

Brozović with Croatia in 2021

Personal information

Date of birth

16 November 1992 (age 32)

Place of birth

Zagreb, Croatia

Height

1.81 m

Playing position

Defensive midfielder

Club information

Current club

Al-Nassr

Number

Youth career

2002–2010

Hrvatski Dragovoljac

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps^†

(Gls)^†

2010–2011

Hrvatski Dragovoljac

(1)

2011–2012

Lokomotiva

(5)

2012–2015

Dinamo Zagreb

(9)

2015–2023

Inter Milan

261

(25)

2023–

Al-Nassr

(5)

National team

2009–2010

Croatia U18

(0)

2011

Croatia U19

(0)

2011–2013

Croatia U20

(3)

2011–2014

Croatia U21

(7)

2014–2024

Croatia

(7)

Honours


Men's football
Representing Croatia
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up	2018 Russia
Third	2022 Qatar
UEFA Nations League
Runner-up	2023 Netherlands

Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:10, 21 January 2025 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

Marcelo Brozović, born on November 16, 1992, is a professional footballer from Croatia. He plays as a defensive midfielder for the club Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Brozović started his career in the youth teams of Hrvatski Dragovoljac. He played 22 games for the senior team in 2011. After his team was relegated, he joined Lokomotiva for one season. In 2012, Brozović moved to Dinamo Zagreb, where he played for three seasons.

In January 2015, he was loaned to Inter Milan. After a year and a half, Inter Milan signed him permanently. Brozović spent seven seasons with Inter, playing over 300 matches. He helped them win their first Serie A title in over ten years in 2021. He also played in two major European finals: the Europa League in 2020 and the Champions League in 2023. In 2023, Brozović moved to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Brozović first played for the Croatian national team in June 2014. He represented Croatia in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also played in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 UEFA European Championships. He helped Croatia reach the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 UEFA Nations League.

Club Career Highlights
International Career
Playing Style
Personal Life
Career Statistics
- Club Appearances
- International Appearances
Honours and Awards
Images for kids
See also

Club Career Highlights

Early Football Days

Marcelo Brozović was born in Zagreb, Croatia. He grew up playing in the youth system of Hrvatski Dragovoljac. He made his first professional appearance on July 24, 2010. He played the full 90 minutes in a game against Dinamo Zagreb. Brozović scored his first goal for the club on March 18, 2011, which was the winning goal against Karlovac.

Playing for Lokomotiva

In July 2011, Brozović signed with Lokomotiva. This happened after his previous club, Hrvatski Dragovoljac, was relegated. In his first season, he played 27 league matches and scored four goals. Lokomotiva finished comfortably in the middle of the league table.

Time at Dinamo Zagreb

In August 2012, Brozović joined Dinamo Zagreb. He signed a seven-year contract with the club. He was given the number 77 jersey. His first game for Dinamo Zagreb was on September 14, a goalless draw against NK Osijek. Four days later, he played his first UEFA Champions League match against Porto.

Brozović scored his first goal for Dinamo Zagreb on April 14, 2013. It was the second goal in a 2–0 win against Inter Zaprešić. In his first season, he played 30 games and scored two goals. Dinamo Zagreb won the league title that year.

Joining Inter Milan

On January 24, 2015, Brozović moved to Inter Milan. He joined on a loan deal that would become a permanent transfer later. He was the 900th player to wear Inter's famous blue and black jersey. Brozović chose his favorite number 77. He played his first game for Inter on February 1, 2015. He came on as a substitute in a match against Sassuolo. He scored his first goal for Inter on the final day of the season, in a 4–3 win against Empoli.

Brozović started his first full season with Inter in August 2015. He scored his first league goal of the season on November 23 against Frosinone. He came off the bench and scored in a big 4–0 win. On December 12, Brozović scored another goal in a 4–0 away win against Udinese. He celebrated this goal with his teammates using his "EpicBrozo" signature move.

In March 2016, Brozović scored two goals in a cup semi-final against Juventus. This helped Inter come back from a 3–0 first-leg defeat to tie the score 3–3. The game went to a penalty shootout, where Inter lost.

At the start of the 2016–17 season, Brozović had some disagreements with the coach, Frank de Boer. He was left out of some games for "unprofessional behavior." However, he later improved his performance under the new coach, Stefano Pioli. He scored his first goal of the season in November 2016 in a Europa League match. On December 7, Brozović extended his contract with Inter Milan until 2021.

In the 2017–18 season, Brozović scored his first goals on October 2 against Benevento. He faced some criticism from fans in February 2018 but later regained his best form. He became a fan favorite again. He played his 100th Serie A game on May 12. In the final match of the season against Lazio, his passes led to two goals, helping Inter win 3–2. This win secured Inter a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the next season. That season, he scored four goals and made nine assists.

In the 2018–19 season, Brozović played his first Champions League game for Inter on September 18. He scored his first goal of the season four days later, a winning goal in the 94th minute against Sampdoria.

On August 26, 2019, he scored Inter's first goal of the new season in a 4–0 win against Lecce. He also scored in the famous Milan derby against Milan in September 2019 and February 2020. In August 2020, he provided an assist in the Europa League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk. Four days later, he played in the Europa League final against Sevilla, where he also provided an assist. However, Inter lost the final 3–2.

On May 2, 2021, Inter Milan won the Serie A title. This was Inter's first league title in over ten years and Brozović's first trophy with the club. He finished the season with two goals and seven assists. On August 27, 2021, Brozović played his 200th Serie A game. He was the first Croatian player to reach this milestone in the modern era of football.

On June 10, 2023, Brozović was the captain for Inter in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final. He was the first Croatian player to captain a team in a Champions League final. Inter lost the game 1–0 to Manchester City.

Moving to Al-Nassr

Brozović playing for Al Nassr against Persepolis in September 2023

On July 3, 2023, the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr announced they had signed Brozović. He made his first game for the club in a friendly match on July 25, 2023. On July 31, 2023, he played his first official game for Al-Nassr in the Arab Club Champions Cup. In his first season, he wore the number 77 jersey, and in his second season, he switched to number 11.

International Career

Brozović during Brazil and Croatia match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Brozović played for various Croatian youth national teams. He played for the under-18, under-19, under-20, and under-21 teams. He performed very well for the under-21 team in 2013, scoring seven goals in eight games.

On May 31, 2014, Brozović was chosen for Croatia's team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He made his first appearance for the senior national team on June 7, starting in a 1–0 win against Australia. Five days later, he made his World Cup debut, playing in a match against Brazil.

After the 2014 World Cup, Brozović became a regular player for Croatia. He often played alongside famous midfielders like Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić. He scored his first goal for Croatia on October 13, 2014, in a 6–0 win against Azerbaijan. His second goal came in March 2015 against Norway.

In May 2016, Brozović was part of Croatia's team for the UEFA Euro 2016. He played his first UEFA European Championship game against Turkey, which Croatia won 1–0. He later scored two goals for Croatia in a World Cup qualifier against Iceland in November 2016.

In May 2018, he was selected for Croatia's team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Croatia made it all the way to the final against France. Brozović was a key player in the starting lineup. Croatia lost the final 4–2.

In May 2021, Brozović was called up for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. In November 2022, he was part of the team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Croatia won the bronze medal in this tournament, beating Morocco 2–1 in the third-place play-off.

On June 7, 2024, he was named in the squad for the UEFA Euro 2024. Two months later, on August 14, he announced that he was retiring from international football. He played 99 games for his country.

Playing Style

Marcelo Brozović is known for his excellent passing, tackling, and stamina. He is often used as a deep-lying playmaker or a box-to-box midfielder. This means he can help both defend and attack. He is a very versatile midfielder, meaning he can play well in different midfield roles. People also know him for his smart tactical awareness, strong physical presence, and amazing passing skills.

Personal Life

Brozović married Silvija Lihtar in 2016. Their daughter, Aurora, was born a year later. In October 2019, they had their second child, a son named Rafael.

In the summer of 2018, Brozović helped students in his hometown. He donated textbooks to all primary school students for the upcoming school year in Cerić, Croatia. In June 2020, he paid for a hip surgery for a woman from North Macedonia whom he had never met.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Hrvatski Dragovoljac	2010–11	Prva HNL	22	1	1	0	—		—		23	1
Lokomotiva	2011–12	Prva HNL	27	4	—		—		—		27	4
	2012–13	Prva HNL	6	1	1	1	—		—		7	2
	Total		33	5	1	1	—		—		34	6
Dinamo Zagreb	2012–13	Prva HNL	23	2	1	0	6	0	—		30	2
	2013–14	Prva HNL	27	6	6	1	8	1	1	0	42	8
	2014–15	Prva HNL	14	1	0	0	12	2	1	0	27	3
	Total		64	9	7	1	26	3	2	0	99	13
Inter Milan (loan)	2014–15	Serie A	15	1	1	0	—		—		16	1
Inter Milan (loan)	2015–16	Serie A	32	4	3	3	—		—		35	7
Inter Milan	2016–17	Serie A	23	4	2	1	3	1	—		28	6
	2017–18	Serie A	31	4	2	0	—		—		33	4
	2018–19	Serie A	32	2	2	0	8	0	—		42	2
	2019–20	Serie A	32	3	3	0	11	0	—		46	3
	2020–21	Serie A	33	2	4	0	5	0	—		42	2
	2021–22	Serie A	35	2	4	0	8	1	1	0	48	3
	2022–23	Serie A	28	3	3	0	9	0	0	0	40	3
	Total		261	25	24	4	44	2	1	0	330	31
Al-Nassr	2023–24	Saudi Pro League	30	4	4	0	8	1	6	0	48	5
	2024–25	Saudi Pro League	13	1	1	0	5	0	1	0	20	1
	Total		43	5	5	0	13	1	7	0	68	6
Career total			423	45	38	6	83	6	10	0	554	57

International Appearances

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Croatia	2014	7	1
	2015	7	2
	2016	11	3
	2017	7	0
	2018	12	0
	2019	7	0
	2020	4	0
	2021	15	1
	2022	13	0
	2023	10	0
	2024	6	0
Total		99	7

Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Brozović goal.

List of international goals scored by Marcelo Brozović
No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	13 October 2014	Stadion Gradski vrt, Osijek, Croatia	6	Azerbaijan	4–0	6–0	UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
2	28 March 2015	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	8	Norway	1–0	5–1	UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
3	17 November 2015	Olimp-2, Rostov-on-Don, Russia	14	Russia	2–1	3–1	Friendly
4	23 March 2016	Stadion Gradski vrt, Osijek, Croatia	15	Israel	2–0	2–0	Friendly
5	12 November 2016	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	24	Iceland	1–0	2–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
6	12 November 2016	Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia	24	Iceland	2–0	2–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
7	4 September 2021	Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia	65	Slovakia	1–0	1–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification