Mario Vušković Explained

Mario Vušković
Birth Date:16 November 2001
Birth Place:Split, Croatia
Height:1.89 m
Currentclub:Hamburger SV
Clubnumber:44
Position:Centre-back
Youthclubs1:RNK Split
Youthyears1:–2016
Youthclubs2:Hajduk Split
Youthyears2:2016–2019
Years1:2018–2019
Clubs1:Hajduk Split II
Caps1:19
Goals1:1
Years2:2019–2022
Clubs2:Hajduk Split
Caps2:42
Goals2:3
Years3:2021–2022
Clubs3:Hamburger SV (loan)
Caps3:24
Goals3:1
Years4:2022–
Clubs4:Hamburger SV
Caps4:16
Goals4:2
Nationalyears1:2016
Nationalteam1:Croatia U15
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2017–2018
Nationalteam2:Croatia U17
Nationalcaps2:16
Nationalgoals2:5
Nationalyears3:2018–2020
Nationalteam3:Croatia U19
Nationalcaps3:11
Nationalgoals3:2
Nationalyears4:2019
Nationalteam4:Croatia U20
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2020–
Nationalteam5:Croatia U21
Nationalcaps5:13
Nationalgoals5:2
Club-Update:27 January 2023
Nationalteam-Update:17:54, 8 June 2022 (UTC)

Mario Vušković (in Croatian pronounced as /mâːrio ʋûʃkoʋitɕ/;[1] [2] born 16 November 2001) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for 2. Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. He was banned for 2 years for doping on March 30, 2023.[3]

Club career

Early career

Vušković started playing football by joining RNK Split academy, before moving to the academy of Dalmatian giants Hajduk Split in 2016.[4] Initially a defensive midfielder, he was moved back to the centre back position in the youth teams.[5] In October 2018, he was included in The Guardian's Next Generation list.[6]

Hajduk Split

On 18 August 2019, Vušković made his Prva HNL debut for Hajduk in the 3–0 victory over Gorica.[7] However, he did not proceed to get many opportunities during Damir Burić's tenure at the club. On 16 November, he fractured his arm while on international duty in Elbasan, in Croatia U20's friendly 1–0 victory over Albania, which sidelined him for three months.[8] During the tenure of Igor Tudor at the club, Vušković solidified his spot in the starting XI following the COVID-19 suspension of the league and injuries of Ardian Ismajli and Nihad Mujakić. He scored his first goal for Hajduk Split on the 16 June 2020 in the 2–3 defeat to Varaždin.[9] [10] On 25 July, the last matchday, he was shown two yellow cards and sent off in the 1–4 victory over Inter Zaprešić.[11]

Ahead of and during the 2020–21 season, Vušković attracted attention of various Serie A clubs, most notably Napoli. However, club president Lukša Jakobušić stopped the transfer, dubbing Vušković the "club project".[12] [13] [14] [15] On 27 January 2021, Vušković scored the opener in a 3–1 derby defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.[16] On 20 March, he assisted Marin Ljubičić for the only goal in a 1–0 derby victory over Šibenik.[17] In the beginning of May, Vušković sparked significant interest from Celtic and Torino.[18] On 12 May, he scored the first goal and provided Stipe Biuk with an assist for the fourth in a 4–0 victory over Gorica.[19]

Hamburger SV

On 31 August 2021, Vušković signed a two-year loan deal with 2. Bundesliga club Hamburger SV, with an option to buy.[20] He made his debut on 18 September in a 2–0 victory over Werder Bremen. Despite initial struggles, within the first three months he became a nailed-on starter, and his performances led to the club signing him permanently on 15 March 2022.[21] [22] On 16 April, Vušković scored his debut goal for Hamburg, a free kick in a 3–0 victory over Karlsruhe.[23]

On 12 November 2022, Vušković failed a drug test, prompting German Football Association (DFB)'s anti-doping department to launch an investigation.[24] On 30 March 2023, Vušković was banned by the DFB Sports Court for two years due to EPO doping. The club and the player filed an appeal for the ban due to multiple irregularities during the investigation; however, Nationale Anti Doping Agentur (NADA) did the same seeking a four-year ban.[25] The ban is set to run retroactively from 15 November 2022 to 14 November 2024.[26]

International career

Vušković was part of Dario Bašić's 18-man squad for UEFA Under-17 Euro 2017.[27] He made one appearance at the tournament, in the 1–1 draw with Spain, as Croatia finished at the bottom of the group.[28]

He earned his first call-up to Croatia under-21 team in August 2020, ahead of UEFA Under-21 Euro 2021 qualifiers against Greece and the Czech Republic.[29] He made his debut on 12 November, in a 2–2 away draw with Scotland. On 9 March 2021, Vušković was named in Igor Bišćan's 23-man squad for the group stage of the tournament.[30] On 17 May, he was named in Bišćan's 23-man squad for the knockout stage of the tournament.[31]

Personal life

Vušković's great-grandfather Marko made three appearances for Hajduk Split on the liberated territory of Vis during World War II, and later worked as a club executive. Vušković's grandfather Mario, whom he was named after, attended the Hajduk academy in the 1970s and won a junior league title during Tomislav Ivić's tenure. Vušković's father Danijel is a former player who played as a defender. His brother, Luka and cousin, Moreno, are also professional players who play as defender and forward respectively.[32]

He named Sergio Ramos as his football idol.

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hajduk Split II2018–19Druga HNL181181
2019–201010
Total191191
Hajduk Split2019–20Prva HNL1011000111
2020–212922020332
2021–2230001040
Total4233030483
Hamburg (loan)2021–222. Bundesliga2413020291
Hamburg2022–231622000182
Total4035020473
Career total10178030201147
Notes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mȃrio. Hrvatski jezični portal. 29 December 2020. hr.
  2. Web site: vẉk. Vȕčković. Hrvatski jezični portal. 29 December 2020. hr.
  3. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/hamburg-defender-vuskovic-banned-two-years-doping-german-fa-2023-03-30/
  4. Web site: Burazin. Davor. 9 August 2020. Ovaj dečko bi Hajduku mogao donijeti milijune eura i prije Caktaša, Jaira, Eduoka te Nejašmića. 29 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  5. Web site: D. F.. 1 October 2020. Mario Vušković: Drago mi je zbog Gvardiola, a meni je fokus na Hajduku!. 28 January 2021. Dalmatinski portal. hr.
  6. News: Christenson. Marcus. Powell. Jim. Blight. Garry. Hulley-Jones. Frank. Christenson. Marcus. Powell. Jim. Blight. Garry. Hulley-Jones. Frank. 11 October 2018. Next Generation 2018: 60 of the best young talents in world football. en-GB. The Guardian. 29 December 2020. 0261-3077.
  7. Web site: Vrdoljak. Juraj. 24 March 2021. Hajdukovac od kolina. 25 March 2021. Telesport. hr.
  8. Web site: Jurišić. Predrag. 16 November 2019. POBJEDA MLADE HRVATSKE OSTALA U SJENI OZLJEDE HAJDUKOVOG DRAGULJA! Izbornik našao i svjetlu točku: On će biti veliki dobitak za hrvatski nogomet!. 29 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  9. Web site: Babić. Vedran. 6 August 2020. Vušković oduševio, Blagaić ostao dužan: novinar 'Slobodne' Vedran Babić analizira učinak šestorice mladih igrača Hajduka u prošloj sezoni. 29 December 2020. Slobodna Dalmacija. hr-hr.
  10. Web site: 16 June 2020. VIDEO: Hajduk u ludoj utakmici izgubio od Varaždina i ugrozio 2. mjesto! Pogledajte sve golove s Poljuda. 29 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  11. Web site: Šola. Robert. 25 July 2020. VIDEO: Proigrali su prekasno, pogledajte 4 gola Hajduka u pola sata! Caktaš zabio dvaput u lovu na titulu. 29 December 2020. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  12. Web site: 28 December 2020. Talijani pišu da Napoli priprema ponudu za jednog od najvećih Hajdukovih talenata. 28 January 2021. Index.hr. hr.
  13. Web site: Šola. Robert. 18 January 2021. Za 19-godišnjaka Hajduku nudili pet milijuna eura plus bonuse, Jakobušić kategoričan: Za njega hoću više!. 28 January 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  14. Web site: Radić. Jurica. 31 March 2021. 'Krećemo u rekonstrukciju Hajduka! Napravit ćemo sve da zadržimo Kalinića i Livaju, evo tko sve odlazi'. 31 March 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  15. Web site: 29 April 2021. Mlada Hajdukova zvijezda na radaru velikana, kultni klub želi ga dovesti za veliki novac. 29 April 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  16. Web site: 27 January 2021. Mario Vušković nakon poraza u derbiju na Maksimiru. 28 January 2021. HNK Hajduk Split. hr.
  17. Web site: J. B.. 21 March 2021. Tko je Hajdukov junak? Ima 19 godina, zabio je već 22 gola, a govore mu da izgledom podsjeća na Mbappea. 23 March 2021. Gol.hr. hr.
  18. Web site: 12 May 2020. Torino za Vuškovića ponudio smiješan iznos, Hajduk traži puno više. 12 May 2021. Gol.hr. hr.
  19. Web site: Tolić. Josip. 12 May 2021. VIDEO Hajdučki dijamanti: Evo kako je Vušković kopirao Del Piera, a Stipe Biuk - Messija!. 12 May 2021. 24sata. hr.
  20. Web site: 31 August 2021. HSV loan in Mario Vuskovic. 31 August 2021. Hamburger SV. en.
  21. Web site: Radić . Jurica . 16 March 2022 . Hajdukovac nakon velikog transfera: 'Ne znam jesam li mogao negdje drugdje, ali, ovo je bio moj cilj' . 16 March 2022 . Sportske novosti . hr-hr.
  22. Web site: 15 March 2022 . HSV bindet Mario Vuskovic . 16 March 2022 . Hamburger SV . de.
  23. Web site: Tolić . Josip . 17 April 2022 . VIDEO Vuškovićev prvijenac za pamćenje: Savršen slobodnjak . 17 April 2022 . 24sata . hr.
  24. Web site: HINA . Croatian News Agency . 12 November 2022 . Šok za Bišćana! Glavni stoper mlade Hrvatske reprezentacije pao na dopingu testu . 4 April 2023 . Gol.hr . hr.
  25. Web site: M. G. . 4 April 2023 . Njemački stručnjak za sportsko pravo tvrdi da Vušković nije trebao biti osuđen, a evo zašto presuda pada u vodu . 4 April 2023 . Gol.hr . hr.
  26. News: Stafford-Bloor . Sebastian . Vuskovic handed two-year ban after positive EPO sample . 2023-03-30 . The Athletic . en.
  27. Web site: Izbornik Bašić objavio popis igrača za EP U-17 - Hrvatski nogometni savez . Hrvatski nogometni savez . 29 March 2021 . 1 May 2017 . hr.
  28. Web site: Hrvatski nogometni savez. 31 March 2021. MINI VATRENI PODCAST: Mario Vušković. 1 April 2021. YouTube. hr.
  29. Web site: T. R.. 17 August 2020. Bišćan objavio popis za okršaje protiv Grčke i Češke, Vušković jedino novo ime. 29 December 2020. nogometplus.net. hr.
  30. 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. 23 March 2021. Gol.hr. hr.
  31. Web site: 17 May 2021. Modri dragulj i na Bišćanovom popisu, tu je i nova zvijezda Hajduka: 'To mu je nagrada za sve učinjeno'. 17 May 2021. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  32. Web site: Gabelić. Tomislav. 7 August 2020. U mojoj obitelji samo mama nije igrala u Hajduku! A najbolji je od svih nas moj mlađi brat. 29 December 2020. 24sata. hr.