Lovro Majer Explained

Lovro Majer
Full Name:Lovro Majer[1]
Birth Date:17 January 1998[2]
Birth Place:Zagreb, Croatia
Height:1.78 m[3]
Position:Attacking midfielder
Currentclub:VfL Wolfsburg
Clubnumber:19
Youthclubs1:Posavina Zagreb
Youthclubs2:Kustošija
Youthyears3:2006–2010
Youthclubs3:Dinamo Zagreb
Youthyears4:2010–2011
Youthclubs4:Dubrava
Youthyears5:2012–2013
Youthclubs5:Trnje
Youthyears6:2013–2016
Youthclubs6:Lokomotiva Zagreb
Years1:2016–2018
Clubs1:Lokomotiva Zagreb
Caps1:53
Goals1:14
Years2:2018–2021
Clubs2:Dinamo Zagreb
Caps2:67
Goals2:13
Years3:2021–2023
Clubs3:Rennes
Caps3:62
Goals3:8
Years4:2023–
Clubs4:VfL Wolfsburg
Caps4:32
Goals4:5
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalteam1:Croatia U18
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2016
Nationalteam2:Croatia U19
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2017–2021
Nationalteam3:Croatia U21
Nationalcaps3:19
Nationalgoals3:5
Nationalyears4:2017–
Nationalteam4:Croatia
Nationalcaps4:34
Nationalgoals4:8
Club-Update:03:27, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23:33, 24 June 2024 (UTC)

Lovro Majer (pronounced as /hr/;[4] [5] born 17 January 1998) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club VfL Wolfsburg and the Croatia national team.

Club career

Early career

Majer was born in Zagreb in 1998. His father Egon hails from Preko on the island of Ugljan.[6] [7] Majer started his football career with the local team Dinamo Zagreb. He left the team at the age of 12. In 2013, Majer joined Lokomotiva Zagreb youth academy.

Lokomotiva Zagreb

In 2016, Majer was called up to the Lokomotiva first team. On 30 June 2016, Majer made his senior team debut in the UEFA Europa League qualifying phase against Santa Coloma at Estadi Comunal, replacing Eros Grezda in the 76th minute by coach Mario Tokić.[8] On 17 July 2016, he made his Prva HNL debut in the matchday 1 against Dinamo Zagreb, replacing Ivan Fiolić in the 55th minute of the 3–1 loss. On 25 October 2016, he scored in the Croatian Football Cup in the 69th minute of the second round against Vinogradar. His goal led Lokomotiva to advance to the quarter-finals.

On 10 March, Majer scored a brace in a 4–1 away win over Dinamo Zagreb, which was a historic first win for Lokomotiva over Dinamo, with the club winning after 28 attempts.[9] [10] On 8 June 2018, Majer was awarded the Best Young Footballer award by the Croatian Football Federation for his performances in the 2017–18 Prva HNL season, and was also named in the Team of the Season.[11] During his tenure at Lokomotiva, he sparked interest from Newcastle United and Sampdoria.

Dinamo Zagreb

On 27 June 2018, Majer officially signed for Dinamo Zagreb[12] and chose the number 10 shirt.[13] [14] On 27 July, in his league debut for Dinamo,[15] he injured his ankle as Dinamo drew 1–1 with Rudeš. He was forced to undergo surgery and miss the first half of the season.[16] [17]

However, Majer was not getting many chances during coach Nenad Bjelica's tenure at the club.[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] Most of it was due to the form of his teammate Dani Olmo who played in the same position.[23] [24] On 13 July 2019, in the Croatian Super Cup, Majer was substituted on for Izet Hajrović in the 82nd minute and received two yellow cards within three minutes.[25] On 11 December, he made his Champions League debut as Dinamo lost 4–1 to Manchester City.[26] Dissatisfied with his status in the team, Majer was on the verge of signing for Birmingham City in July 2020, but the move was stopped by Dinamo.[27] After both Bjelica and his successor Igor Jovićević got fired, new coach Zoran Mamić began relying on Majer more, which led to an impressive performance against Varaždin on 24 July 2020, when he scored the opener and provided Mario Ćuže with an assist for the second goal in the 2–0 victory.[28] [29] [30]

Ahead of the 2020–21 season, Dinamo's league rivals Osijek attempted to sign Majer, but failed to do so as Dinamo refused to sell the player.[31] On 16 August, in the first game of the season, he scored a brace in a 6–0 victory over his former club Lokomotiva.[32] Following his good performances during the beginning of the season, Italian media reported that Milan scouts watched Majer in the Europa League match against Feyenoord that ended in a goalless draw on 22 October.[33] On 16 November, Majer tested positive for COVID-19, which forced him to miss the derby against Osijek, now coached by Bjelica, on 21 November.[34] Upon completion of the Europa League group stage, Majer was praised for his performances, as Dinamo topped their group with Majer scoring twice and assisting three times in the process.[35] [36] [37] On 21 December, Majer signed a new contract, tying him up with the club until 2026.[38] [39] During the winter transfer window, Majer attracted attention of Zenit Saint Petersburg, Fiorentina and Marseille, but Dinamo refused to sell the player, dissatisfied with the offered transfer fees.[40] [41]

On 25 August 2021, in the second leg of the Champions League play-offs against Sheriff Tiraspol, Majer made his hundredth and final appearance for Dinamo.[42] [43]

Rennes

On 26 August 2021, Majer signed a five-year deal with Ligue 1 side Rennes for €12 million with add-ons.[44] [45] [46] He made his league debut three days later, in a 2–0 loss to Angers, getting substituted on for Benjamin Bourigeaud in the 82nd minute.[47] Majer established himself as a key member of the team during the autumn, resulting in a breakthrough performance during the 4–1 victory over Lyon on 7 November.[48] He scored his first goal for Rennes on 20 November, in a 2–0 league victory over Montpellier.[49] On 5 December, he provided Martin Terrier with three assists for his hat-trick, and set Yvann Maçon's own goal alongside Lorenz Assignon, as Rennes defeated Saint-Étienne 5–0.[50] At the end of the season, during which he was praised for his performances, Majer accumulated six goals and nine assists and was named in the Ligue 1 team of the season by L'Équipe.[51]

VfL Wolfsburg

After a poor 2022–23 season at Rennes,[52] on 16 August 2023, Majer signed a five-year contract with Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg.[53]

International career

Majer debuted for senior Croatia team on 28 May 2017, playing the last three minutes in a 2–1 friendly win over Mexico.[54]

On 7 June 2019, he was named in Nenad Gračan's 23-man squad for UEFA Under-21 Euro 2019.[55] He made only one appearance in the group stage, in the 3–3 draw with England when Croatia were already eliminated.[56] [57] On 9 March 2021, he was again named in Igor Bišćan's 23-man squad for the group stage of UEFA Under-21 Euro 2021.[58] Despite spending most of the tournament on the bench due to a minor injury,[59] he provided Domagoj Bradarić with an assist for Croatia's only goal in the final group game, the 2–1 defeat to England, which turned out to be a decisive one as Croatia progressed to the knockout stage due to a better goal difference.[60] [61]

On 17 May 2021, he was included in Zlatko Dalić's preliminary 34-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020;[62] however, he did not make the final 26.[63] On 11 November 2021, Majer scored his first two goals for the national team in the 7–1 victory over Malta in the 2022 World Cup qualifying.[64] On 9 November 2022, he was named in Croatia's final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[65] He opened his World Cup scoring with a goal in the 4–1 group stage victory over Canada.[66] In the quarter-final against Brazil, he scored a penalty in the shootout, which Croatia won 4–2 and progressed to the semi-finals.[67]

On 5 June 2023, Majer was named in Dalić's final 23-man squad for the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals,[68] as Croatia reached the final where they drew 0–0 with Spain. In the resulting shootout, Majer and Bruno Petković had their penalties saved by Unai Simón, leading to Spain's triumph.[69]

Style of play

He mainly plays as a central or attacking midfielder, but can also operate on both wings, especially when playing for the national team.

Career statistics

Club

[70]

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lokomotiva Zagreb2016–17Prva HNL2333120284
2017–18301143003414
Total531474206218
Dinamo Zagreb2018–19Prva HNL1010000101
2019–20212204010282
2020–2131732152004911
2021–22530082135
Total6713522741010019
Rennes2021–22Ligue 12962050366
2022–233222081423
2023–241010
Total62840131799
VfL Wolfsburg2023–24Bundesliga32520345
2024–25001010
Total32530355
Career total214401964251027651

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Croatia201710
202122
2022152
202391
202473
Total348

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

No.!scope="col"
DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
111 November 2021 National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta 3 5–1 7–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 7–1
322 September 2022 Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia 9 2–1 2–1 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
427 November 2022 Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar 13 4–1 4–1 2022 FIFA World Cup
517 November 2023 Skonto, Riga, Latvia 25 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
626 March 2024New Administrative Capital Stadium, New Administrative Capital, Egypt294–1 4–2 2024 FIFA Series
73 June 2024 Stadion HNK Rijeka, Rijeka, Malta 30 1–0 3–0 Friendly
8 2–0

Honours

Dinamo Zagreb

2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21

2020–21[71]

2019Croatia

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Croatia (CRO) . . 8 . 15 November 2022 . 15 November 2022.
  2. Web site: Lovro Majer Croatia UEFA Nations League . 13 June 2023 . UEFA.com.
  3. Web site: Lavro Majer . 30 August 2021 . Stade Rennais F.C. . 1 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Lóvro. Lóvro. Hrvatski jezični portal. 17 March 2018. sh.
  5. Web site: màjūr. Mȁjer. Hrvatski jezični portal. 17 March 2018. sh.
  6. Web site: Gjergja . Ivica . "Uvijek ću doći, znam odakle sam krenuo"! . Zadarski . 27 January 2021 . hr-hr . 3 June 2019.
  7. Web site: Jurišić . Predrag . TEŽAK UDARAC ZA DINAMO Najveći talent ne želi karijeru nastaviti u Maksimiru: Otkrivamo detalje velikog transfera u Serie A koji je na pomolu . Sportske novosti . 27 January 2021 . hr-hr . 11 June 2018.
  8. Web site: UEFA Europa League 2017 - UE Santa Coloma-Lokomotiva Zagreb – UEFA.com. uefa.com. 7 January 2016.
  9. News: I ovo se dogodilo! Lokomotiva pregazila Dinamo u Zagrebu.... 28 June 2018. hr.
  10. News: A Zagreb Miracle! Lokomotiva Defeats Dinamo for First Time in History. 28 June 2018. en-gb.
  11. News: And the Winner Is: HNS Awards Best in Croatian Football with Ceremony in Vukovar. 11 June 2018. en-gb.
  12. Web site: Predstavljamo: Lovro Majer. 28 June 2018. GNK Dinamo. 27 June 2018 . hr-HR.
  13. Web site: Lijepo je nositi 'desetku' u Dinamu. 28 June 2018. GNK Dinamo. 27 June 2018 . hr-HR.
  14. Web site: Od Antolkovića do Majera. 28 June 2018. GNK Dinamo. 28 June 2018 . hr-HR.
  15. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 6 December 2020. On će biti idući veliki transfer Dinama: Žele ga Sevilla, Leicester, Borussia, ali najbliži je - Milanu!. 6 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  16. Web site: Ničota. Tomo. 10 October 2018. MLADI DINAMOVAC SE JAVIO IZ BARCELONE NAKON USPJEŠNE OPERACIJE 'Puno sam naučio iz ove ozljede. Žao mi je što se sve oduljilo...'. 23 October 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  17. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 30 December 2018. VELIKA NADA DINAMA I HR NOGOMETA SE VRAĆA: 'Izgubio sam cijelu polusezonu, iz ove kože ne mogu pobjeći, ali nikome ne priznajem da je bolji od mene!'. 23 October 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  18. Web site: Tuden. Branko. 16 July 2019. Bjelica će upropastiti Majerovu karijeru, baš kao što Ćiro nije prepoznao Žutog. 23 October 2020. Večernji list. hr.
  19. Web site: Ničota. Tomo. 27 October 2020. 'Ne opterećuje me interes Milana, a dat ću sve da što prije zaigram za Vatrene! CSKA? Dovoljno je 1:0...'. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  20. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 18 November 2020. Udarac za Dinamo uoči okršaja protiv Osijeka: Mamić u obračun protiv Bjelice bez supervažnog dvojca. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  21. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 30 November 2020. Potpuna renesansa: Kod Bjelice je grijao klupu, a danas Mamić bez njega ne može zamisliti sastav Dinama!. 30 November 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  22. Web site: Antolić. Dražen. 22 December 2020. Nova senzacija HR nogometa: Na pragu je Vatrenih, sad ćemo vidjeti hoće li postati Modrić ili Mujčin!. 22 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  23. Web site: Korda. Josip. 23 August 2021. Je li Majer spreman za iskorak?. 23 August 2021. Telesport. hr.
  24. Web site: Patković. Nikola. 11 February 2021. Bjelica odgovorio Lovri Majeru: 'Ovo je pravi razlog zašto on nije igrao dok sam ja bio trener Dinama!'. 23 August 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  25. Web site: Junaci. Robert. Pavić. Ivan. 13 July 2019. Bjelica otkrio zašto je Majer dobio crveni karton u manje od tri minute: Bio je.... 23 October 2020. Večernji list. hr.
  26. Web site: 23 October 2020. Calciomercato: Milan je na Maksimiru gledao novog Modrića. Želi ga i Borussia i Leeds. Index.hr. hr.
  27. Web site: Ničota. Tomo. 26 July 2020. Dinamo dogovara prodaju velikog talenta, Englezi žele posudbu, modri traže direktni transfer!. 27 January 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  28. Web site: Barišić. Zdravko. 24 July 2020. Briljantni Majer i življi Dinamo za oproštaj od uspješne sezone. 23 October 2020. 24sata. hr.
  29. Web site: Hina. 24 July 2020. Dinamo pobjedom proslavio naslov prvaka Hrvatske: Majer prvo ime utakmice. 23 October 2020. Gol.hr. hr.
  30. Web site: Pavić. Ivan. 24 July 2020. Mamić s mladim Dinamom bolji od Varaždina, Majer zabio pa asistirao. 23 October 2020. Večernji list. hr.
  31. Web site: 28 July 2020. Šokantan transfer na pomolu: Osijek potvrdio da želi zvijezdu Dinama. 23 October 2020. Germanijak. hr.
  32. Web site: Šola. Robert. 16 August 2020. VIDEO: Šest golova na Maksimiru! Majer prvo ime večeri, zabio je dvaput i asistirao Dinamovom povratniku. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  33. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 23 October 2020. Velikan stigao u Zagreb uživo pogledati 'novog Modrića', Bad Blue Boysi 'pjevali' braći Mamić. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  34. Web site: 16 November 2020. SEDAM MLADIH VATRENIH POZITIVNO NA KORONAVIRUS UOČI KLJUČNE UTAKMICE: Bišćan hitno pozvao još petoricu igrača. 18 November 2020. Net.hr. hr.
  35. Web site: S. K.. 12 December 2020. U Dinamu stasa 'novi Luka Modrić'; Zoran Mamić je probudio zagrebačkog wunderkinda čije čudesne brojke već sada jamče preko 10 milijuna eura. 12 December 2020. Tportal.hr. hr.
  36. Web site: Tironi. Hrvoje. 11 December 2020. Razgoropadio je Lovru Majera, a Lauritsenom učvrstio obranu. 12 December 2020. 24sata. hr.
  37. 1337353254729113601. EuropaLeague. Lovro Majer in the group stage = 2 goals, 3 assists

    #UEL t.co/pEY05e697C. UEFA Europa League. 11 December 2020. 13 December 2020.
  38. Web site: 21 December 2020. Dinamo produžio suradnju s jednim od najvažnijih igrača: 'Ovo je jako emotivan trenutak za mene...'. 21 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  39. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 23 December 2020. Dinamo odbio Zenitovih 10 milijuna eura i dao Lovri Majeru plaću od 50 tisuća eura neto mjesečno!. 23 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  40. Web site: 22 January 2021. Dinamo odbio 10 milijuna eura za Lovru Majera. Evo koliko traži. 27 January 2021. Index.hr. hr.
  41. Web site: Ničota. Tomo. 31 January 2021. Francuzima se žuri uzeti Majera, poslali su već treću ponudu, evo što smjeraju u Maksimiru!. 1 February 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  42. Web site: I. Ž. K.. 26 August 2021. Majer i službeno u Rennesu, Dinamo mu zahvalio i poželio sreću. 27 August 2021. Hrvatska radiotelevizija. hr.
  43. Web site: Žurić. Ivan. 26 August 2021. Emotivni Lovro Majer oprostio se od Dinama i navijača; dogurao je do 100. utakmice, a bila mu je to i posljednja u 'modrom' dresu.... 27 August 2021. Tportal.hr. hr.
  44. Web site: 26 August 2021. Lovro Majer, nouveau meneur rennais !. 27 August 2021. Stade Rennais F.C.. fr.
  45. Web site: 26 August 2021. Majer potpisao za Rennes pa na predstavljanju otkrio: 'Suigrač iz Dinama pričao mi je sve o vama...'. 27 August 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  46. Web site: 26 August 2021. Lovro Majer službeno je predstavljen kao novi Rennesov igrač. 27 August 2021. Telesport. hr.
  47. Web site: Deželić. Vanja. 29 August 2021. Lovro Majer debitirao za Rennes! Nažalost, nije uspio spriječiti poraz svog kluba. 29 August 2021. Večernji list. hr.
  48. Web site: Onrubia. Andrés. 9 November 2021. Real Madrid: Lovro Majer emerges as Modric's heir for Croatia. 9 November 2021. Diario AS. en.
  49. 1462178398235774977. HNS_CFF. As @staderennais defeats Montpellier 2:0, #Croatia international Lovro Majer scores his first goal for the French side - hopefully, the first of many!

    #BeProud #Vatreni❤ t.co/W7G76Q8VVc. HNS. 20 November 2021. 20 November 2021. en.
  50. Web site: I. Š.. 5 December 2021. Čudesna utakmica Lovre Majera: Službeno tri, ali zapravo čak četiri asistencije u samo 48 minuta. 5 December 2021. Gol.hr. hr.
  51. Web site: Olivari . Davorin . 13 June 2022 . 'U potpunosti se slažem s onim što Francuzi govore o Modriću, a posebno ističu još dvojicu Vatrenih' . 13 June 2022 . Sportske novosti . hr-hr.
  52. Web site: Gvardiol dobio pitanje o Haalandu, a Majer se kratko nadovezao: "Reci im što si meni rekao" . . 2023-09-05 . 2023-09-05 . hr.
  53. Web site: VfL Wolfsburg. Lovro Majer kommt aus Rennes. Lovro Majer comes from Rennes. 16 August 2023. 16 August 2023. de.
  54. Web site: Jurišić. Predrag. 20 November 2017. LOKOMOTIVIN TINEJDŽER I VELIKI TALENT DOBIO VELIKO PRIZNANJE Englezi ga uvrstili među 100 najboljih mladih svjetskih nogometaša: 'Ovo je samo poticaj'. 23 October 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  55. Web site: Hina. 7 June 2019. Konačan popis za Euro: S ovim mladima Hrvatska napada Olimpijske igre. 31 March 2021. Gol.hr. hr.
  56. Web site: 25 June 2019. Hrvatska remizirala s Engleskom. 31 March 2021. GNK Dinamo. hr-HR.
  57. Web site: S. M.. 24 June 2016. U-21 HRVATSKA - ENGLESKA 3:3 Hrvatska izbjegla poraz, završila zadnja u grupi. 31 March 2021. Index.hr. hr.
  58. Web site: Kajtazi Roth. Anita. 9 March 2021. Bišćan objavio popis igrača za U-21 Euro: Na njemu najviše igrača Dinama i neka nova imena. 31 March 2021. Gol.hr. hr.
  59. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 30 March 2021. 'Pa Dinamo je izbacio Tottenham, zašto i mi ne bi izbacili Engleze s Eura! Evo i recepta za podvig...'. 31 March 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  60. Web site: A. M.. HINA. Croatian News Agency. 31 March 2021. Fantastičan gol Bradarića u 91. minuti odveo Hrvatsku u četvrtfinale!. 31 March 2021. Hrvatska radiotelevizija. hr.
  61. Web site: 31 March 2021. Manje je više: Majer je protiv Engleske za 14 minuta asistirao i napravio još koješta. 1 April 2021. Telesport. hr.
  62. Web site: 17 May 2021. Dalić objavio popis za Euro. Pozvani Gvardiol, Bradarić i Ivanušec. 27 June 2021. Index.hr. hr.
  63. Web site: Hrnčić. Fabijan. 1 June 2021. Dalić objavio konačni popis: Evo kojih 26 igrača putuje na Euro!. 27 June 2021. 24sata. hr.
  64. Web site: 11 November 2021. Hrvatska natrpala Maltu. 20 November 2021. Jabuka.tv. hr.
  65. Web site: Zlatko Dalić objavio popis igrača za SP, ovo su 26 imena koje vodi u Katar . . 2022-11-09 . 2022-12-21 . hr.
  66. Web site: World Cup 2022: Lovro Majer scores Croatia's fourth goal against Canada . . 2022-11-27 . 2022-12-21 . en-GB.
  67. Web site: Penalty kings Croatia knock out Brazil . . 2022-12-21.
  68. Web site: Zlatko Dalić objavio konačan popis za Ligu nacija: Otpao je mladi napadač . . hr . HINA . Croatian News Agency . 2023-06-05 . 2023-09-05.
  69. Web site: Utučeni Majer oglasio se nakon što je promašio penal u finalu . . hr . 2023-06-19 . 2023-09-05 . HINA . Croatian News Agency.
  70. Web site: L. Majer. Soccerway. 4 August 2019.
  71. Web site: DINAMO - ISTRA 1961 6:3. HNS-CFF. 19 May 2021. 22 June 2021. Croatian.
  72. Web site: Smyth . Rob . 17 December 2022 . Croatia 2-1 Morocco: World Cup 2022 third-place playoff – as it happened . 17 December 2022 . the Guardian.
  73. Web site: 12 August 2017. Trofej Nogometaš 2017 - Priopćenje za javnost / Novosti / Hrvatska udruga "Nogometni sindikat". 27 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20170812134703/http://www.huns.hr/hr/article/490/trofej_nogometa%C5%A1_2017-priop%C4%87enje_za_javnost. 12 August 2017.
  74. Web site: Luka Modrić najbolji nogometaš Hrvatske, no iznenađenje večeri je Lovro Majer!. 27 October 2020. Gol.hr. hr.