Mario Vušković

For the former Croatian footballer active in the Netherlands in the 1970s, and Vušković’s grandfather, see Mario Vušković (footballer, born 1953).

Mario Vušković
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-11-16) 16 November 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Split, Croatia
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Hamburger SV
Youth career
–2016 RNK Split
2016–2019 Hajduk Split
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2019 Hajduk Split II 19 (1)
2019–2022 Hajduk Split 42 (3)
2021–2022 → Hamburger SV (loan) 24 (1)
2022– Hamburger SV 16 (2)
International career‡
2016 Croatia U15 5 (0)
2017–2018 Croatia U17 16 (5)
2018–2020 Croatia U19 11 (2)
2019 Croatia U20 1 (0)
2020–2022 Croatia U21 15 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 January 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 September 2022

Mario Vušković (Croatian pronunciation: [mâːrio ʋûʃkoʋitɕ];[1][2] born 16 November 2001) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back. He is under contract with 2. Bundesliga club Hamburger SV. He was banned for 2 years for doping on 30 March 2023.[3] The ban was later extended to November 2026.

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.[4][7][8] However, he did not proceed to get many opportunities during Damir Burić's tenure at the club.[7] 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.[9][10][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.[11][12] On 25 July, the last matchday, he was shown two yellow cards and sent off in the 1–4 victory over Inter Zaprešić.[13][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".[14][15][16][17] On 27 January 2021, Vušković scored the opener in a 3–1 derby defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.[18] On 20 March, he assisted Marin Ljubičić for the only goal in a 1–0 derby victory over Šibenik.[19] In the beginning of May, Vušković sparked significant interest from Celtic and Torino.[20] 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.[21]

Hamburger SV

On 31 August 2021, Vušković signed a two-year loan deal with 2. Bundesliga club Hamburger SV, with an option to buy.[22] 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.[23][24] On 16 April, Vušković scored his debut goal for Hamburg, a free kick in a 3–0 victory over Karlsruhe.[25]

On 12 November 2022, Vušković failed a drug test, prompting German Football Association (DFB)'s anti-doping department to launch an investigation.[26] 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.[27] The ban is set to run retroactively from 15 November 2022 to 14 November 2024.[28]

In August 2024, Court of Arbitration for Sport extended the ban until 15 November 2026.[29]

International career

Vušković was part of Dario Bašić's 18-man squad for UEFA Under-17 Euro 2017.[30] He made one appearance at the tournament, in the 1–1 draw with Spain, as Croatia finished at the bottom of the group.[8]

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.[31][8] He made his debut on 12 November, in a 2–2 away draw with Scotland.[8] On 9 March 2021, Vušković was named in Igor Bišćan's 23-man squad for the group stage of the tournament.[32] On 17 May, he was named in Bišćan's 23-man squad for the knockout stage of the tournament.[33]

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.[10] Vušković's grandfather Mario, whom he was named after,[10] attended the Hajduk academy in the 1970s and won a junior league title during Tomislav Ivić's tenure.[7] Vušković's father Danijel is a former player who played as a defender.[4] His brother, Luka and cousin, Moreno, are also professional players who play as defender and forward respectively.[10]

He named Sergio Ramos as his football idol.[5]

Career statistics

Club

As of 9 November 2022[34]
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hajduk Split II 2018–19 Druga HNL 18 1 – – – 18 1
2019–20 1 0 – – – 1 0
Total 19 1 – – – 19 1
Hajduk Split 2019–20 Prva HNL 10 1 1 0 0 0 – 11 1
2020–21 29 2 2 0 2[b] 0 – 33 2
2021–22 3 0 0 0 1[c] 0 – 4 0
Total 42 3 3 0 3 0 – 48 3
Hamburg (loan) 2021–22 2. Bundesliga 24 1 3 0 — 2[d] 0 29 1
Hamburg 2022–23 16 2 2 0 — 0 0 18 2
Total 40 3 5 0 – 2 0 47 3
Career total 101 7 8 0 3 0 2 0 114 7
Notes
  1. ^ Appearances in Croatian Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  4. ^ Appearances in the promotion play-offs

References

  1. ^ "Mȃrio". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  2. ^ "vẉk". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020. Vȕčković
  3. ^ "Hamburg defender Vuskovic banned for two years for doping-German FA". Reuters. 30 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Burazin, Davor (9 August 2020). "Ovaj dečko bi Hajduku mogao donijeti milijune eura i prije Caktaša, Jaira, Eduoka te Nejašmića". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b D. F. (1 October 2020). "Mario Vušković: Drago mi je zbog Gvardiola, a meni je fokus na Hajduku!". Dalmatinski portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  6. ^ 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". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Vrdoljak, Juraj (24 March 2021). "Hajdukovac od kolina". Telesport (in Croatian). Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e Hrvatski nogometni savez (31 March 2021). "MINI VATRENI PODCAST: Mario Vušković". YouTube (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  9. ^ 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!". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d Gabelić, Tomislav (7 August 2020). "U mojoj obitelji samo mama nije igrala u Hajduku! A najbolji je od svih nas moj mlađi brat". 24sata (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  11. ^ a b Babić, Vedran (6 August 2020). "Vušković oduševio, Blagaić ostao dužan: novinar 'Slobodne' Vedran Babić analizira učinak šestorice mladih igrača Hajduka u prošloj sezoni". Slobodna Dalmacija (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  12. ^ "VIDEO: Hajduk u ludoj utakmici izgubio od Varaždina i ugrozio 2. mjesto! Pogledajte sve golove s Poljuda". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). 16 June 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  13. ^ Šola, Robert (25 July 2020). "VIDEO: Proigrali su prekasno, pogledajte 4 gola Hajduka u pola sata! Caktaš zabio dvaput u lovu na titulu". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Talijani pišu da Napoli priprema ponudu za jednog od najvećih Hajdukovih talenata". Index.hr (in Croatian). 28 December 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  15. ^ Šola, Robert (18 January 2021). "Za 19-godišnjaka Hajduku nudili pet milijuna eura plus bonuse, Jakobušić kategoričan: Za njega hoću više!". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  16. ^ Radić, Jurica (31 March 2021). "'Krećemo u rekonstrukciju Hajduka! Napravit ćemo sve da zadržimo Kalinića i Livaju, evo tko sve odlazi'". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Mlada Hajdukova zvijezda na radaru velikana, kultni klub želi ga dovesti za veliki novac". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Mario Vušković nakon poraza u derbiju na Maksimiru". HNK Hajduk Split (in Croatian). 27 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  19. ^ 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". Gol.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Torino za Vuškovića ponudio smiješan iznos, Hajduk traži puno više". Gol.hr (in Croatian). 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  21. ^ Tolić, Josip (12 May 2021). "VIDEO Hajdučki dijamanti: Evo kako je Vušković kopirao Del Piera, a Stipe Biuk - Messija!". 24sata (in Croatian). Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  22. ^ "HSV loan in Mario Vuskovic". Hamburger SV. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  23. ^ Radić, Jurica (16 March 2022). "Hajdukovac nakon velikog transfera: 'Ne znam jesam li mogao negdje drugdje, ali, ovo je bio moj cilj'". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  24. ^ "HSV bindet Mario Vuskovic". Hamburger SV (in German). 15 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  25. ^ Tolić, Josip (17 April 2022). "VIDEO Vuškovićev prvijenac za pamćenje: Savršen slobodnjak". 24sata (in Croatian). Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  26. ^ HINA (12 November 2022). "Šok za Bišćana! Glavni stoper mlade Hrvatske reprezentacije pao na dopingu testu". Gol.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  27. ^ M. G. (4 April 2023). "Njemački stručnjak za sportsko pravo tvrdi da Vušković nije trebao biti osuđen, a evo zašto presuda pada u vodu". Gol.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  28. ^ Stafford-Bloor, Sebastian. "Vuskovic handed two-year ban after positive EPO sample". The Athletic. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  29. ^ "CAS impose four-year ban on Mario Vuskovic". Hamburger SV. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Izbornik Bašić objavio popis igrača za EP U-17 - Hrvatski nogometni savez". Hrvatski nogometni savez (in Croatian). 1 May 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  31. ^ T. R. (17 August 2020). "Bišćan objavio popis za okršaje protiv Grčke i Češke, Vušković jedino novo ime". nogometplus.net (in Croatian). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  32. ^ Kajtazi Roth, Anita (9 March 2021). "Bišćan objavio popis igrača za U-21 Euro: Na njemu najviše igrača Dinama i neka nova imena". Gol.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Modri dragulj i na Bišćanovom popisu, tu je i nova zvijezda Hajduka: 'To mu je nagrada za sve učinjeno'". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  34. ^ Mario Vušković at Soccerway