Sneha Girap (Editor)

Marko Babić (footballer)

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Name
  
Marko Babic

Years
  
Team

Role
  
Footballer


1997–1999
  
Osijek

Height
  
1.86 m

2000–2007
  
Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Weight
  
78 kg

Marko Babic (footballer) wwwleverkusencomwhoiswhobBabicMajpg

Date of birth
  
(1981-01-28) 28 January 1981 (age 34)

Playing position
  
Left midfielder / full-back

Similar People
  
Petar Krpan, Jurica Vranjes, Boris Zivkovic, Dado Prso, Bosko Balaban

Place of birth
  
Osijek, SFR Yugoslavia

Marko Babić (born 28 January 1981 in Osijek) is a Croatian international footballer. He primary plays as left midfielder, but is also often deployed as a left-back.

Contents

Babić began his senior career with Osijek in 1997. However, he only made 16 league appearances before moving to Germany, and joining Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He became a regular for the club, and made 144 league appearances before joining Spanish side Real Betis. He was less successful here, and made 12 league appearances in two years, whilst his spells at Hertha BSC and Real Zaragoza were brief. In 2010, Babić returned to Osijek, but struggled to re-establish himself, and made just 26 league appearances in two years. A switch to LASK Linz followed in 2013, but this yielded just eight league games before he left the club.

Having represented Croatia at under-15, under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-20 levels between 1996 and 2001, Babić made his under-21 and senior international debut in 2002, and made 49 appearances for the senior international appearances. However, he was omitted from Croatia's EURO 2008 squad, and has not played since.

Club career

Babić made his debut with NK Osijek where he spent three seasons. In 2000, the young midfielder completed his move to Bayer Leverkusen where he joined the German outfit's Croatian contingent. He played for the club during their loss to Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final.

He was offered a new contract in 2003.

Real Betis presented the player to the press and fans on 17 July 2007. Early reports suggested he had signed on a free transfer as his contract had ended. On 23 July 2007 Babić made his Betis debut in a friendly game against CD San Fernando. His competitive debut came in the La Liga season against Recreativo de Huelva on 26 August 2007.

In January 2009, Babić left Spain to play for Hertha BSC on a free transfer and gave up the non-EU quota to Ricardo Oliveira. He left Hertha six months later. On 8 August 2009 he signed a two-year contract with Real Zaragoza. On 6 September 2010 his contract was terminated. On 2 March 2011, Babić signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with NK Osijek.

International career

Babić made his Croatian national team debut in May 2002 against Hungary. Babić was part of the Croatian roster at Euro 2004, but did not play in any games. He played all three games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, stationed as a left wing-back in a 3–5–2 formation. He was a surprise omission from Slaven Bilić's Euro 2008 squad.

Honours

Osijek
  • Croatian Football Cup (1): 1998-99
  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • Bundesliga runner-up (1): 2001-02
  • DFB-Pokal runner-up (1): 2001-02
  • UEFA Champions League runner-up (1): 2001-02
  • References

    Marko Babić (footballer) Wikipedia