Mario Božić Explained

Mario Božić
Upright:1.1
Birth Date:25 May 1983
Birth Place:Tuzla, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
Height:1.80 m
Position:Midfielder
Years1:2001–2002
Clubs1:Loznica
Caps1:34
Goals1:3
Years2:2003
Clubs2:Radnički Stobex
Caps2:12
Goals2:2
Years3:2003–2004
Clubs3:Beograd
Caps3:27
Goals3:1
Years4:2004–2007
Clubs4:Videoton Fehérvár
Caps4:86
Goals4:11
Years5:2008–2009
Clubs5:Újpest
Caps5:40
Goals5:4
Years6:2009–2011
Clubs6:Slovan Bratislava
Caps6:50
Goals6:3
Years7:2011
Clubs7:Ashdod
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Years8:2012
Clubs8:Borac Čačak
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2012
Clubs9:Shanghai Shenhua
Caps9:13
Goals9:0
Years10:2012–2013
Clubs10:Simurq
Caps10:25
Goals10:6
Years11:2013
Clubs11:Panachaiki
Caps11:10
Goals11:3
Years12:2014
Clubs12:Voždovac
Caps12:11
Goals12:1
Years13:2014–2015
Clubs13:Borac Čačak
Caps13:15
Goals13:1
Years14:2015–2016
Clubs14:Loznica
Caps14:13
Goals14:0
Nationalyears1:2007–2008
Nationalteam1:Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0

Mario Božić (Serbian: Марио Божић, pronounced as /mâːrio bǒːʒitɕ/;[1] [2] 25 May 1983 – 3 April 2023)[3] [4] was a Bosnian Serb professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.

At international level, Božić made two appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina between 2007 and 2008.

Club career

Born in Tuzla, Božić moved to Serbia at an early age and started his senior career with Loznica. He also played for Radnički Stobex and Beograd, before moving to Hungarian club Fehérvár in the summer of 2004. As a regular member of the first team, Božić helped them win the 2005–06 Magyar Kupa. He also made over 100 appearances for the club in all competitions. In the 2008 winter transfer window, Božić was transferred to Újpest. He spent a total of five years in the country, amassing 126 league appearances and scoring 15 goals.

In the summer of 2009, Božić moved to Slovakia and signed with Slovan Bratislava. He spent two seasons in the country and won four major trophies with the club.

In June 2011, Božić signed with Israeli club Ashdod,[5] but failed to make any appearance for the club. He returned to Serbia in the 2012 winter transfer window and surprisingly signed with Borac Čačak. However, after only a few weeks, Božić left the club without making his debut and moved to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

In August 2012, Božić joined Azerbaijani club Simurq, becoming the club's top scorer with six goals in the 2012–13 season.

Božić ended his career by playing with FK Loznica in Serbian second league.[6]

International career

In March 2007, Božić received his first call-up for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.[7] He made his international debut on 8 September 2007, coming on as a substitute for Darko Maletić in a 1–0 loss to Hungary. His second and final international was an August 2008 friendly match against Bulgaria.[8]

Post-playing career

On 9 February 2017, Božić was appointed director of football at Loznica.[9]

Death

Božić died on 3 April 2023 from a brain tumor. He was 39 years old.[10]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[11]
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fehérvár2004–05NB I20000200
2005–06NB I28600286
2006–07NB I24240282
2007–08NB I14300143
Total8611409011
Újpest2007–08NB I13000130
2008–09NB I27400274
Total40400404
Slovan Bratislava2009–10Slovak Super Liga2605150361
2010–11Slovak Super Liga2434030313
Total5039180674
Shanghai Shenhua2012Chinese Super League1301000140
Simurq2012–13Azerbaijan Premier League2563000286
Career total2142413112023925

Honours

Fehérvár

Slovan Bratislava

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Màrija. Mȃrio. Hrvatski jezični portal. 17 March 2018. sh.
  2. Web site: Bȏg. Bóžić. Hrvatski jezični portal. 17 March 2018. sh. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214090436/http://hjp.znanje.hr/index.php?show=search_by_id&id=d1djXQ%3D%3D. 14 December 2019. live.
  3. https://informer.rs/sport/c-zvezda/783239/mario-bozic-fudbal-smrt TUGA DO NEBA... Preminulo nesuđeno ZVEZDINO POJAČANJE! Srpski fudbaler izgubio borbu sa OPAKOM BOLEŠĆU!
  4. https://www.novosti.rs/sport/fudbal/1223426/mario-bozic-preminuo-smrt-najnovije-vesti-tuga TUGA DO NEBA: Preminuo Mario Božić, imao je samo 39 godina
  5. Web site: Mario Božič prestupuje zo Slovanu Bratislava do tímu najvyššej izraelskej súťaže . Slovak . sport.aktuality.sk . 16 June 2011 . 26 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101420/http://sport.aktuality.sk/c/113888/mario-bozic-prestupuje-zo-slovanu-bratislava-do-timu-najvyssej-izraelskej-sutaze/ . 4 March 2016 . live .
  6. http://www.srbijafudbal.com/loznica/bozic.htm Mario Božić
  7. Web site: 'New team' set for Oslo trip . uefa.com . 15 March 2007 . 10 January 2016.
  8. Web site: Player Database. eu-football.info. 4 February 2021.
  9. Web site: Mario Božić postavljen za sportskog direktora . Serbian . loznicainfo.com . 9 February 2017 . 11 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211135939/http://www.loznicainfo.com/mario-bozic-postavljen-za-sportskog-direktora-fk-loznica/ . 11 February 2017 . live .
  10. Web site: UŽASNE vesti stigle su ovo ponedeljka. U 40. godini je preminuo fudbaler Mario Božić . novosti.rs . . 3 April 2023.
  11. Single source here, if player is inactive. If player has not retired, move source next to "Updated" template.