Nemanja Vidić facts for kids
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Vidić with Serbia in 2010
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nemanja Vidić | ||
| Date of birth | 21 October 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Užice, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1989–1994 | Jedinstvo Užice | ||
| 1994–1996 | Sloboda Užice | ||
| 1996–2000 | Red Star Belgrade | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2004 | Red Star Belgrade | 67 | (12) |
| 2000–2001 | → Spartak Subotica (loan) | 27 | (6) |
| 2004–2006 | Spartak Moscow | 39 | (4) |
| 2006–2014 | Manchester United | 211 | (15) |
| 2014–2016 | Inter Milan | 23 | (1) |
| Total | 367 | (38) | |
| International career | |||
| 2002–2011 | Serbia | 56 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Nemanja Vidić (born 21 October 1981) is a Serbian former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a defender in the middle of the field. Many people think Vidić is one of the best defenders ever.
He is most famous for his time at Manchester United. There, he won 15 trophies and was the team's captain. He is one of only five players to win the Premier League Player of the Season award twice.
Vidić started his career at Red Star Belgrade in the early 2000s. He then moved to Spartak Moscow in 2004. In January 2006, he joined Manchester United. At United, he formed a very strong defence with Rio Ferdinand. He played for United for eight years. During this time, he won five Premier League titles, three League Cups, five FA Community Shields, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
He became the club captain in 2010 and stayed captain for four years. In 2014, Vidić moved to the Italian club Inter Milan. He played there for two seasons before retiring in January 2016 because of injuries. Vidić also played for the Serbian national team from 2002 to 2011.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting Out in Football
Nemanja Vidić started playing football when he was six years old. He played with his older brother, Dušan, at a local club called Jedinstvo Užice. He quickly got better and moved to Sloboda Užice when he was 12.
Playing for Red Star and Spartak Moscow
Before he turned 15, Red Star Belgrade signed Vidić for their youth team. He began his senior career on a loan to Spartak Subotica in 2000. After his loan, he returned to Red Star and played regularly.
He won the Yugoslav Cup with Red Star in 2002. Vidić soon became the team captain. As captain, he scored 12 goals in 67 matches. He finished his time at Red Star by helping them win both the league and cup in 2004. In July 2004, he joined Russian Premier League team Spartak Moscow. He became the most expensive defender in Russian Premier League history.
Time at Manchester United
Joining the Team (2005–06)
After two seasons with Spartak Moscow, Vidić joined Manchester United in January 2006. He made his first appearance for United on 25 January 2006. He came on as a substitute in a League Cup semi-final match.
On 26 February 2006, Vidić won his first trophy with United. He played in the League Cup final against Wigan Athletic. United won the match.
Becoming a Key Player (2006–07)
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In the 2006–07 Premier League season, Vidić became a regular player for Manchester United. He formed a strong partnership with Rio Ferdinand in defence. This partnership became one of the best in European football. In his first full season, he played 25 league games and won his first league title.
Vidić scored his first goal for United on 14 October 2006 against Wigan Athletic. He scored his first goal at United's home stadium, Old Trafford, on 4 November against Portsmouth. He also scored his first Champions League goal against Benfica on 6 December.
Winning More Trophies (2007–08)
On 8 November 2007, Vidić signed a new contract to stay at Manchester United until 2012. At the end of the 2007–08 season, he won his second Premier League title. He also helped the team win the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final against Chelsea. This was his first European trophy. He played in 32 league games and scored one goal that season.
Amazing Defence (2008–09)
During the 2008–09 season, Vidić was a very important part of United's defence. He played in every league match. United set a record by keeping 14 clean sheets (not letting the other team score) in a row.
Vidić was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award. He was a favourite to win, but his teammate Ryan Giggs won it. However, Vidić was named Manchester United Fans' Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year. He also won the Premier League Player of the Season award for the first time.
Captaincy and Injuries (2010–14)
On 23 July 2010, Vidić signed a new long-term contract with Manchester United. On 20 August, the new four-year contract was officially signed. On 11 September, he scored his first goal of the season against Everton.
Later, manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Vidić had become the permanent team captain. On 30 October, Vidić scored his first home goal of the season against Tottenham Hotspur. This was the 1,000th goal scored at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
In the 2010–11 season, Vidić scored against Chelsea on 8 May. This win helped United move closer to winning a record 19th Premier League title. They achieved this the following week. Vidić won the Premier League Player of the Season award for the second time.
In August 2011, Vidić started the season in the 2011 FA Community Shield. He had to leave the game early due to a calf injury. This injury kept him out for several weeks. On 7 December 2011, Vidić twisted his knee during a Champions League game. This injury meant he missed the rest of the season.
Vidić returned to play on 20 August 2012. However, he was ruled out again for eight weeks in September 2012 due to another knee injury. He returned in December 2012. He played in 22 league games as United won their 13th Premier League title.
On 7 February 2014, Vidić announced he would leave Manchester United at the end of the 2013–14 season. He said he did not want to play for another English club. On 1 April, Vidić scored a goal in a Champions League quarter-final match against Bayern Munich. He played his last home game for Manchester United on 6 May against Hull City.
Inter Milan and Retirement
In 2014, Inter Milan announced that Vidić would join them. He made his debut for Inter on 30 July 2014 against his old team, Manchester United. In his first official game, he was sent off for arguing with the referee.
On 11 January 2015, he scored his first goal for Inter. He played more games as other defenders got injured. On 18 January 2016, his contract with Inter Milan ended. 11 days later, on 29 January, Vidić announced he was retiring from football.
International Career
Vidić first played for the Yugoslavian youth team. He made his senior debut for the national team on 12 October 2002. This was in a qualifying match for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament.
Vidić was part of Serbia and Montenegro's "Famous Four" defence. This defence, which included Mladen Krstajić, Ivica Dragutinović, and Goran Gavrančić, only let in one goal during ten qualifying matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This set a record for the fewest goals allowed. Vidić missed the first World Cup game due to a red card in a previous match. He then injured his knee and could not play in any games at the 2006 World Cup.
After the World Cup, Vidić continued to play for the Serbia national team. He was important in Serbia winning their group in 2010 World Cup qualifying. Serbia had the best defence in their group. However, Serbia did not do well at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
On 24 October 2011, Vidić announced he was retiring from the Serbia national team. This was because of negative comments from fans about his performances.
Style of Play
Vidić was known as a "no-nonsense" and "tough" defender. He was famous for his strong physical challenges. Many people thought he was one of the best central defenders because he was consistent and aware on the field. He was also very strong and good at heading the ball, which made him a threat to score from set pieces.
He worked very well with Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United. Ferdinand was more mobile and technical, while Vidić focused on defending. Vidić was praised for his brave style of play. Fans loved him and often compared him to former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce. Bruce also had similar qualities.
Even though he was mainly a central defender, Vidić could also play as a right-back sometimes. His main weakness was his speed, especially later in his career. But he made up for this with his excellent positioning and decision-making.
When Vidić retired, his former teammate Robin van Persie said, "Nemanja puts his head where other players are scared to put their feet." This shows how fearless he was on the field.
Personal Life
On 17 July 2005, Vidić married Ana Ivanović. She was an economics student. They have three sons named Luka, Stefan, and Petar.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Red Star Belgrade | 2000–01 | First League of FR Yugoslavia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | First League of FR Yugoslavia | 22 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 29 | 2 | |||
| 2002–03 | First League of Serbia and Montenegro | 25 | 5 | 4 | 1 | — | 6 | 0 | — | 35 | 6 | |||
| 2003–04 | First League of Serbia and Montenegro | 20 | 5 | 5 | 0 | — | 6 | 3 | — | 31 | 8 | |||
| Total | 67 | 12 | 14 | 1 | — | 14 | 3 | — | 95 | 16 | ||||
| Spartak Subotica (loan) | 2000–01 | Second League of FR Yugoslavia | 27 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 27 | 6 | |||
| Spartak Moscow | 2004 | Russian Premier League | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 13 | 2 | ||
| 2005 | Russian Premier League | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 28 | 2 | |||
| Total | 39 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 41 | 4 | ||||
| Manchester United | 2005–06 | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2006–07 | Premier League | 25 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 4 | |
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 32 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 1 | |
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 34 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 55 | 7 | |
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 5 | |
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 26 | 1 | ||
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
| Total | 211 | 15 | 18 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 52 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 300 | 21 | ||
| Inter Milan | 2014–15 | Serie A | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | — | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | — | 28 | 1 | ||||
| Career total | 367 | 38 | 34 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 71 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 491 | 48 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR Yugoslavia | 2002 | 3 | 0 |
| Serbia and Montenegro | 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | |
| Serbia | 2006 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 56 | 2 | |
Scores and results list Serbia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Vidić goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 August 2005 | Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine | 13 |  Poland |
2–3 | 2–3 | Valeriy Lobanovskyi Memorial Tournament |
| 2 | 15 November 2006 | Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 22 |  Norway |
1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
Honours
Red Star Belgrade
- First League of Serbia and Montenegro: 2003–04
- FR Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro Cup: 2001–02, 2003–04
Manchester United
- Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
- Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
- FA Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
- UEFA Champions League: 2007–08; runner-up: 2008–09, 2010–11
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Individual
- FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2009, 2011
- ESM Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11
- PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07 Premier League, 2007–08 Premier League, 2008–09 Premier League, 2010–11 Premier League
- Premier League Player of the Season: 2008–09, 2010–11
- Premier League Player of the Month: January 2009
- Premier League 20 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2011–12)
- Fantasy Teams of the 20 Seasons (Public choice)
- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2008–09
- Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2008–09
- Best Sportsman of SD Crvena Zvezda: 2002
- Serbian Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2008
- Serbia's Overseas Player of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010
See also
In Spanish: Nemanja Vidić para niños
