Ranking the 10 best Slovenian football players ever

Slovenia is a small however dynamic nation that has produced expertise that shines each nationally and globally, leaving an enduring impression on its residence nation. Regardless of having a small inhabitants, they’ve produced soccer gamers who’ve thrived in elite European leagues and worldwide competitions, taking Slovenian soccer to new heights.

Since separating from Yugoslavia within the early Nineties, they’ve twice certified for the FIFA World Cup and twice for the UEFA European Championship, though they’ve by no means superior previous the group stage in a serious competitors.

Slovenia defeated Algeria 1-0 on the 2010 World Cup to document their first, and so far, solely victory in a serious competitors. Nonetheless, they’ve produced a number of spectacular outcomes, together with a 1-0 victory over Italy in a 2006 World Cup qualifier, which was the one loss Italy suffered all through that World Cup marketing campaign.

With that, right here is the checklist of who we consider are the ten best Slovenian footballers, primarily based on their general affect at both membership or worldwide degree throughout their careers…

10

Boštjan Cesar

2000-2020

Boštjan Cesar is well-known for his place as a central defender. Cesar has acquired recognition all through his profession for his commanding bodily presence on the sector, which was helped by his towering peak.

After beginning his skilled profession in Slovenia with NK Olimpija Ljubljana, Cesar went on to play for groups in among the main divisions in Europe. One in every of his groups was Dinamo Zagreb, the place he achieved nice success, successful the Croatian First League. After that, Cesar relocated to the Italian Serie A and spent a number of years enjoying for Chievo Verona, ultimately rising to be one of many crew’s major gamers and a favorite among the many supporters due to his dedication and on-field exploits.

The 41-year-old is the most-capped participant for Slovenia, having accrued 101. He featured within the 2010 World Cup and captained the Slovenian aspect at instances all through his profession.

9

Josip Iličić

2007-present

Josip Iličić is famend for his technical prowess, adaptability and memorable skill to attain targets from midfield positions.

The height of his membership profession got here with Atalanta in Serie A, when he performed an important position within the crew’s home and European success. Iličić demonstrated his capability to compete on the best levels at Atalanta along with his exploits within the Champions League, particularly his unimaginable four-goal efficiency in opposition to Valencia within the 2019/20 season.

Throughout his time at Atalanta, he scored 60 targets and laid on 46 assists, which has helped his general profession tally attain 150 targets and 94 assists.

Showing 80 instances for the Slovenian nationwide crew, he additionally received Slovenian Footballer of the Year in 2019.

8

Džoni Novak

1988-2003

Džoni Novak is praised for his technical prowess, adaptability and a capability to affect the sport from quite a lot of locations on the sector.

His stints as a participant in France and Germany have been the excessive factors of his membership profession, showcasing his skill to compete on the high ranges of European soccer. Working as a left-midfielder and at left-back for almost all of his profession, he managed to provide seven targets and laid on 17 assists, in addition to turning into a Greek and Slovenian league champion.

He appeared at Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup for Slovenia, making 74 appearances for his nation.

7

Robert Koren

1996-2017

Robert Koren is extremely regarded for his management skills, exceptional midfield mind, and scoring prowess.

His greatest membership stint was at Hull Metropolis, the place he helped the Tigers return to the Premier League in 2013, scoring and aiding 50 targets in his time up north.

The 42-year-old acquired 62 caps for the Slovenian nationwide crew, with a few of them coming in the course of the 2010 World Cup. His affect for his nation was rewarded when he was handed the captain’s armband.

6

Milivoje Novaković

1999-2017

Milivoje Novaković is a reputation that shortly rose to fame in Slovenia, along with his goalscoring skills catching the eyes of many.

The top of Novaković’s membership profession was his tenure at FC Köln within the German Bundesliga, the place he made a reputation for himself along with his scientific ending, aerial ability and skill to carry up play. He scored 82 goals and assisted 25 in 176 appearances.

He is additionally the second-highest goalscorer for his nation, with 32 targets to his identify in simply 80 appearances.

5

Zlatko Zahovic

1989-2009

Explosive ahead Zlatko Zahovic considerably impacted the membership and the worldwide scene throughout his enjoying profession. Zahovic made 248 appearances at membership degree, contributing 71 targets and 35 assists. In addition to this, he received nine trophies in stints at FC Porto, Benfica, Olympiacos and Partizan Belgrade, turning into one of the vital adorned gamers in Slovenian historical past.

Zahovic presently holds the document for probably the most targets for Slovenia with 35. He additionally appeared on the 2002 World Cup and scored three targets at Euro 2000.

4

Samir Handanović

2003-2023

Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanović has had a distinguished profession, having made vital contributions at membership and worldwide degree.

With 719 appearances to his identify, Handanović established himself as certainly one of Serie A’s most reliable and regular goalkeepers, significantly with Inter. His fast reflexes, command of the penalty space and excellent shot-stopping skills have been essential to Inter’s defensive prowess and have helped them win a number of league and cup titles.

Relating to the worldwide area, Handanović amassed 81 caps for Slovenia. He took half within the 2010 FIFA World Cup the place Slovenia carried out admirably however narrowly did not advance from the group stage. Handanovic additionally received three Slovenian Participant of the Yr awards throughout his profession.

3

Darko Milanič

1986-2000

The multi-decade profession of Darko Milanič is characterised by accomplishments as a participant and supervisor. He was a dependable defender, largely for the Slovenian nationwide crew and Sturm Graz in Austria. It is secure to say he grew to become a major determine in Sturm Graz’s historical past within the late Nineties and early 2000s by successful quite a few Austrian Bundesliga titles and Austrian Cups.

Milanič represented Slovenia in competitions such because the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2000, incomes 45 caps for the nationwide crew. They do not make many like him, along with his management and defensive solidity making him the primary identify on the teamsheet for a variety of years for Slovenia.

In England, he’s maybe most famous for briefly being the Leeds United manager, with Milanic lasting simply over a month at Elland Highway.

2

Jan Oblak

2009-present

Jan Oblak has made a reputation for himself as probably the greatest goalkeepers on the earth, particularly due to his unimaginable achievements with Atlético Madrid. Since becoming a member of Atletico in 2014, Oblak has established himself as a key member, along with his distinctive shot-stopping skill, dominant presence within the penalty space and adeptness in one-on-one eventualities, serving to the Spanish membership obtain nice success.

Oblak has stored over 200 clear sheets in his time within the Spanish capital, which has been important to the crew’s accomplishments, together with the La Liga title in 2020/21, the Europa League in 2017/18, and Los Rojiblancos’ run to the Champions League ultimate in 2016.

Forward of the summer time’s European Championship, Oblak has 62 caps and has been an essential member of the Slovenian nationwide crew. Highlights of his worldwide profession have included his participation in World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, with Oblak set for his first main worldwide event in June. He has additionally received the Slovenian Participant of the Yr award 4 instances.

1

Branko Oblak

1965-1985

Branko Oblak (not associated to Jan) is a legendary soccer participant who represents a technology of gamers with distinctive ability and imaginative and prescient on the pitch.

Throughout his membership profession, he made a major affect at Schalke 04, Bayern Munich, Hajduk Break up and Olimpija Ljubljana. He enhanced his legacy with Bayern Munich within the mid-Nineteen Seventies when he helped the crew win the Bundesliga in 1980.

Oblak additionally competed in vital competitions such because the Euro 1976 and the 1974 World Cup, incomes 46 caps as certainly one of few Slovenians of that technology to end up for Yugoslavia.