Mirsad Baljić Explained

Mirsad Baljić
Birth Date:4 March 1962
Birth Place:Sarajevo, FPR Yugoslavia
Height:1.85 m
Position:Left-back
Youthclubs1:Sarajevo
Years1:1979–1988
Clubs1:Željezničar
Caps1:187
Goals1:20
Years2:1988–1992
Clubs2:Sion
Caps2:126
Goals2:41
Years3:1992–1993
Clubs3:Zürich
Caps3:31
Goals3:8
Years4:1993
Clubs4:Luzern
Caps4:11
Goals4:1
Years5:1994
Clubs5:Locarno
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Totalcaps:355
Totalgoals:80
Nationalyears1:1984–1990
Nationalteam1:Yugoslavia
Nationalcaps1:29
Nationalgoals1:2

Mirsad Baljić (born 4 March 1962) is a Bosnian former professional footballer who played as an offensive left-back.

He got his nickname Žvaka (chewing gum) for his constant use of chewing gum during matches.

Club career

Baljić made his first football steps in hometown club Sarajevo's youth team before temporarily leaving football because of medical problems. When he returned, he went to city rivals Željezničar, and as one of their more talented youngsters, he got the opportunity to play in the first team. His league debut came in 1980 when he was aged 18. His biggest success at the club was reaching the UEFA Cup semi-finals in the 1984–85 season under the guidance of Ivica Osim.

In 1988, Baljić moved to Swiss side Sion and stayed there until 1992, before leaving to join Zürich.[1] After two seasons there he left to Luzern. Baljić finished his career at Locarno in 1995.[2]

International career

Baljić played in the youth, under-21 and Olympic teams of Yugoslavia.

He made his senior debut for Yugoslavia in a March 1984 friendly game against Hungary and has earned a total of 29 caps, scoring 2 goals.[3] Baljić was part of the UEFA Euro 1984 and 1990 FIFA World Cup Yugoslav squads. His final international was a June 1990 FIFA World Cup match against West Germany.[4]

Yugoslav national team
Year AppsGoals
1984 4 0
1985 7 2
1986 5 0
1987 6 0
1988 2 0
1989 2 0
1990 3 0
Total 29 2
International caps by year [5]
List of international goals scored by Mirsad Baljić
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1Maharaja College Stadium, Kochi, India1–03–1Friendly[6]
2Maharaja College Stadium, Kochi, India2–03–1Friendly

Personal life

Baljić lives and works in Switzerland. His son Omar is also a footballer, and has played for the Swiss national youth teams.

Honours

Sion

1991–92

1990–91

Yugoslavia

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.dbfcz.ch/spieler.php?spieler_id=2590 Profile
  2. https://sportske.ba/prica-o-zvaki-iz-sarajeva-legenda-zeljeznicara-reprezentacije-jugoslavije/ Priča o Žvaki iz Sarajeva: Legenda Željezničara i reprezentacije Jugoslavije
  3. Web site: Vandenberghe, Luc. Yugoslavia National Team Players 1964-1992. 2009-06-12. RSSSF. 2021-01-24.
  4. Web site: Player Database. eu-football.info. 2021-01-24.
  5. Web site: International caps by year . eu-football.info . 27 April 2024.
  6. Web site: International goals scored by Mirsad Baljić . eu-football.info . 27 April 2024.