Nemanja Matić facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Nemanja Matić

Matić playing for Serbia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Nemanja Matić
Date of birth	(1988-08-01) 1 August 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Šabac, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	Lyon
Number	31
Youth career
1993–1997	Vrelo
1997–2000	Obrenovac 1905
2000–2004	Red Star Belgrade
2004–2005	Partizan
2005–2006	Jedinstvo Ub
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Kolubara	16	(2)
2007–2009	Košice	70	(4)
2009–2011	Chelsea	2	(0)
2010–2011	→ Vitesse (loan)	27	(2)
2011–2014	Benfica	56	(6)
2014–2017	Chelsea	121	(4)
2017–2022	Manchester United	128	(2)
2022–2023	Roma	35	(2)
2023–2024	Rennes	13	(0)
2024–	Lyon	44	(0)
International career
2008–2010	Serbia U21	11	(2)
2008–2019	Serbia	48	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:21, 17 May 2025 (UTC)

Nemanja Matić (born 1 August 1988) is a professional footballer from Serbia. He plays as a defensive midfielder for the French club Lyon.

Matić started his senior football journey at Kolubara. In 2007, he moved to the Slovak team Košice. He then joined the English club Chelsea in 2009. During his first time at Chelsea, he did not play much. He spent the 2010–11 season on loan at the Dutch club Vitesse. In 2011, he moved to Benfica in Portugal. He was named the Primeira Liga Player of the Year for his great playing in the 2012–13 season.

Matić returned to Chelsea in January 2014. He was a very important player for Chelsea when they won two Premier League titles. He was also chosen for the PFA Team of the Year in the 2014–15 season. In July 2017, he joined Manchester United. There, he played again for his former Chelsea coach, José Mourinho. He stayed with Manchester United until 2022. After that, he joined Roma for one season, where he also played under Mourinho. In 2023, he moved to Rennes.

Matić also played for his country, Serbia. He played for the under-21 team. He made his first game for the senior team in 2008. He played 48 games for Serbia and scored two goals. He was part of Serbia's team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Club Career Highlights

Starting His Football Journey

Nemanja Matić was born in Šabac, Serbia. He began playing football at five years old. His first club was FK Vrelo, coached by his father. He started his professional career at Kolubara. Then, in 2007, he signed with the Slovak club Košice. While living in Slovakia, he also became a Slovak citizen.

First Time at Chelsea

On 18 August 2009, Matić joined Chelsea from Košice. He signed a four-year contract. He was given the number 24 shirt. Matić could not play right away because of an injury. He made his Premier League debut for Chelsea on 21 November. He came on as a substitute in a 4–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

On 23 August 2010, Matić went on loan to Eredivisie club Vitesse. He played there for one year.

Success with Benfica

Matić playing for Benfica in 2012

On 31 January 2011, Matić agreed to join the Portuguese club Benfica. This was part of a deal for Chelsea to sign David Luiz. At Benfica, his coach Jorge Jesus changed his position. Matić became a defensive midfielder instead of a playmaker.

On 14 April 2012, Matić won his first trophy with Benfica. They won the 2012 Taça da Liga Final against Gil Vicente. On 13 January 2013, Matić scored Benfica's first goal in a 2–2 draw against Porto. The next day, he signed a new contract until 2018.

Matić was a key player in the 2012–13 Primeira Liga season. Benfica aimed to win their first league title since 2010. On 15 May, Matić played against his old club Chelsea in the Europa League final. Benfica lost the match 2–1. On 4 July 2013, he was named Primeira Liga Player of the Year.

In the 2013–14 season, Matić played half the season. He helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal.

Back to Chelsea

Matić playing for Chelsea in 2015

On 15 January 2014, Matić rejoined Chelsea. He signed a five-and-a-half-year contract. He played his first game back for Chelsea four days later. It was a 3–1 win against Manchester United.

On 3 February, Matić started his first Premier League game for Chelsea. They played against Manchester City. Chelsea won 1–0, ending City's unbeaten run at home. Matić was named the best player of the match.

Matić scored his first Premier League goal on 30 August 2014. It was in a 6–3 win against Everton. He also scored important goals in the Champions League. On 26 April 2015, Matić was chosen for the PFA Team of the Year.

On 12 September 2015, Matić scored his first goal of the 2015–16 Premier League season. It was against Everton, but Chelsea lost 3–1. Matić played as a central midfielder for most of the 2016–17 Premier League season. He scored a goal in Chelsea's 4–2 FA Cup semi-final win against Tottenham Hotspur. On 8 May 2017, he scored his first goal at Stamford Bridge. This was in a 3–0 win over Middlesbrough.

Time at Manchester United

Matić playing for Manchester United in 2017

On 30 July 2017, Matić joined Manchester United. He signed a three-year contract. This meant he was reunited with his former Chelsea coach, José Mourinho. Two days after joining, he played his first game in a friendly match. On 13 August 2017, Matić made his league debut. It was a 4–0 win against West Ham United. He was named Man of the Match.

On 5 March 2018, Matić scored his first goal for Manchester United. It was a half-volley in a 3–2 comeback win against Crystal Palace. This goal was later voted Manchester United's goal of the season. On 29 January 2020, Matić scored the only goal in a 1–0 win in the Manchester derby.

On 17 March 2020, Manchester United extended Matić's contract for another year. On 6 July 2020, he signed a new three-year contract. On 15 April 2022, Matić announced he would leave the club at the end of the season.

Moving to Roma

Matić defending against FC Red Bull Salzburg's Nicolás Capaldo in February 2023

On 14 June 2022, Matić joined Roma on a one-year contract. He joined for free after his Manchester United contract ended. This was his third time playing for manager José Mourinho. Matić said, "I already worked with him, we have a good connection and he is one of the reasons why I came here." On 14 August, he played his first game for Roma. It was a 1–0 win against Salernitana. He started in the Europa League final. Roma lost the match on penalties.

Short Stay at Rennes

Matić with Rennes in 2023

On 14 August 2023, Matić joined Ligue 1 club Rennes. He signed a two-year deal. Matić played in 13 Ligue 1 games. He also played in all 6 Europa League group stage games. He provided an assist in three home games, helping Rennes advance from their group.

Joining Lyon

On 27 January 2024, Matić joined fellow Ligue 1 club Lyon. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.

International Career

Matić played for the Serbia under-21 team. He made his debut for the senior squad on 14 December 2008. This was in a friendly match against Poland.

He played in the Cyprus International Football Tournament in 2009. Serbia reached the final in that tournament. Matić also took part in the 2009 UEFA Euro Under-21 Championship. He got injured during a match against Italy.

On 6 September 2013, Matić returned to his national team. This was for a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Croatia. He scored his first international goal on 29 March 2015. It was in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Portugal. He scored with an overhead kick.

Matić playing for Serbia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

In June 2018, he was chosen for the Serbian team for the 2018 World Cup. He played in all three group stage matches. On 28 August 2020, the Football Association of Serbia announced that he had retired from international football. He played 48 games and scored two goals for Serbia. His last game was against Luxembourg on 10 September 2019.

How Nemanja Matić Plays

Nemanja Matić is a left-footed defensive midfielder. He is known for his calm play and strength. His smart decisions and understanding of the game help his attacking teammates. He often plays in a holding position. This means he protects the defense and helps start attacks.

His former coach, José Mourinho, once said about Matić, "At this moment, he is a giant, not for his size but for the way he plays." Before joining Benfica, he played as an attacking midfielder. Later, he changed to a holding midfield role.

Personal Life and Family

Nemanja Matić's family has roots in Volkovija, North Macedonia. His younger brother, Uroš, was also a professional footballer. Uroš is now coaching Jedinstvo Ub in Serbia. Nemanja has three children with his wife, Aleksandra.

Matić has always looked up to former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances and Goals

Serbia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Matić goal

List of international goals scored by Nemanja Matić

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	29 March 2015	Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal	19	Portugal	1–1	1–2	UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
2	6 October 2017	Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria	35	Austria	2–2	2–3	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Football Achievements

Košice

• Slovak Cup: 2008–09

Chelsea

• Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17
• FA Cup: 2009–10
• Football League Cup: 2014–15

Benfica

• Primeira Liga: 2013–14
• Taça de Portugal: 2013–14
• Taça da Liga: 2011–12, 2013–14

Individual Awards

• LPFP Primeira Liga Player of the Year: 2012–13
• Serbian Footballer of the Year: 2014, 2015
• SJPF Player of the Month: December 2012, January 2013, April 2013
• PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15 Premier League
• Manchester United Goal of the Season: 2017–18 (vs. Crystal Palace, 5 March 2018)
• UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2022–23

See also

In Spanish: Nemanja Matić para niños