Neven Subotic
Encyclopedia
Neven Subotić (born 10 December 1988) is a Serbia
n football defender
, who plays for Borussia Dortmund
of the German
Bundesliga
. He made his first-team debut in the 2006–07 season for 1. FSV Mainz 05
. In 2008, he signed with Dortmund. He also competes internationally for Serbia.
, SR Bosnia-Herzegovina
, Subotić was five years old when the family moved to Germany
in 1994, settling in the town of Schömberg. Subotić took up football at the age of 7 with the local outfit TSV Schwarzenberg.
In the late 1990s his family's residence authorization in Germany expired and in order to avoid being deported back to Bosnia they opted to move to the USA in 1999. They settled in Salt Lake City where Subotić's father had a cousin. Subotić played soccer with Sparta Gold and Impact Black youth clubs.
Within two years the family was on the move again, this time to Bradenton
, Florida
so that Subotić sister Natalija could pursue a tennis career at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy
. The city also happens to be the base
for the United States U-17 national team
. Subotić trained on his own in G.T. Bray Park where he got spotted by Keith Fulk, one of the US team's assistant coaches who then informed the team's head coach John Ellinger
about Subotić. After arranging a tryout, they offered Subotić a spot in the residency camp. At the time he was not attached to any club sides, but eventually started playing with the University of South Florida
team.
While playing with the U-17 team in the Netherlands
, Subotić was approached by player agent Steve Kelly who inquired about his career plans and offered a possibility of playing in Europe. After impressing at the tryout for 1. FSV Mainz 05
, young Subotić was on his way there, initially playing for the club's youth and fourth-division teams (1. FSV Mainz 05 II).
in the last match of the 2006–07 season against Bayern Munich
as his team was relegated from the Bundesliga
. In the 2. Bundesliga
the following season, he seized a starting role in what was the leagues best defense, conceding only 37 goals. The team finished in fourth place, missing the promotion back to Bundesliga by only two points.
In the 2008 summer off-season, Mainz head coach Jürgen Klopp
got a job coaching Borussia Dortmund
and was instrumental in bringing Subotić along with him.
on a 5-year contract. He debuted for his new club in the unofficial German Supercup match against Bayern Munich, which Dortmund won 2–1. Subotić's defensive displays quickly turned a lot of heads. In December 2008, he was named in the ideal 11 team of the first part of the 2008–09 Bundesliga season alongside such defensive stars as Lúcio
and Philip Lahm. In addition to confident and effective defensive displays far beyond his years, Subotić was also a factor on the offensive end - scoring 6 league goals throughout the season.
In June 2009, he signed a new contract which last until summer 2014. In the 2009–10 Bundesliga season, Subotić was one of only four players in the entire league to play every minute of every league match.
On 15 December 2010, Subotić got his first goal ever in the European competition, scoring a header off a corner at Sevilla
in the Europa League
to tie the score at 2–2. The match was a decider on which of the two teams would go on from the group stage as Borussia needed to win away, while Sevilla was fine even with a draw. It ended 22 and Borussia got eliminated. Throughout the 2010-11 winter transfer window, Subotić was repeatedly linked with a move to Chelsea as the London club decided to look for a central defender following injuries to Alex
and general poor defensive form. In mid January, the Blues reportedly even submitted a formal offer to the tune of £17.5 million, but Borussia turned it down.
|2006–07||rowspan="2"|1. FSV Mainz 05
||Bundesliga
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|-
|2007–08||2. Bundesliga
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|-
|2008–09||rowspan="4"|Borussia Dortmund
||rowspan="4"|Bundesliga
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|-
|2009–10
||34||3||3||0||0||0||37||3
|-
|2010–11
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|-
|2011–12
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|-
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for the US entry in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
during September 2005 in Peru
. Sixteen years of age at the time, he entered all three group matches as a sub during the final five minutes. In the quarterfinal versus the Netherlands that the US team lost 0–2 and got eliminated, he played from the start, but got red carded in the 73rd minute.
He has also made two appearances for the USA U-20 team
. What would prove to be his last one took place in November 2006 in a friendly after which head coach Thomas Rongen
criticized Subotić, who had signed for Mainz several months earlier, for "not accelerating over there to the point where we feel he belongs on the [U.S.] team". Next summer, Rongen controversially did not select him to play in the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada – picking defenders such as Nathan Sturgis
, Anthony Wallace
, Julian Valentin
, Ofori Sarkodie, Tim Ward
, and Amaechi Igwe
ahead of Subotić – decision that has resulted in Rongen receiving a fair amount of criticism. While Rongen insisted that a groin injury was to blame, there has been considerable speculation since then that Subotić was so stung by Rongen's criticism that he decided to reconsider his international future:
, Serbia
, or Bosnia-Herzegovina. During September 2008, when the issue of his national team eligibility first started getting wider coverage in the football media, playing for Croatia
or even Germany
were mentioned as possibilities as well, however both options were soon revealed to be media concoctions more than anything else. Bosnia-Herzegovina fell out of the running early as Subotić publicly rejected overtures by the country's football officials and head coach Miroslav Blažević
.
By late fall 2008, it became clear that only Serbia figured in his international choice. Citing sources close to Subotić's family, many reports in the Serbian press appeared about his decision to play for Serbia already being made, but waiting for the right moment to state it publicly since he had until 10 December 2009 (his 21st birthday) to declare his choice. In mid December 2008 Subotić informed national team head coach Radomir Antić
about his decision to represent Serbia. Then in late December 2008, Subotić notified US Soccer Federation about his decision – the first official step in the process of changing national team attachment.
in Constanţa
that Serbia won 2–3. Coming on as a 65th minute sub for striker Marko Pantelić
with Serbia leading 1-3, Subotić played the slightly altered central defensive role as Antić looked to protect the lead for the remaining thirty minutes in the crucial qualifying match. Afterwards, head coach Antić was very supportive of his new young defender, comparing him to Fernando Hierro
. After starting against Sweden in a friendly, Subotić's first competitive start took place versus Austria on 6 June just after the end of club season, partnering Nemanja Vidić
in central defence (if only for one half since Vidić got injured and replaced by Antonio Rukavina
) - the contest in which Serbia displayed a very letarghic overall team effort and was lucky to win 1-0 after numerous defensive breakdowns. Four days later on 10 June 2009, Subotić scored his first goal for Serbia
in a fairly straightforward 2–0 win over Faroe Islands
. For the next qualifier at the end of summer against France - Serbia's chance to seal qualification by winning at home - Subotić got benched and didn't enter the contest at all as Antić preferred Aleksandar Luković
to partner Vidić on this occasion. The same central defensive pairing started the next qualifier against Romania at home (another chance to automatically qualify with a win after failing to beat the French), while Subotić got a chance to run out for the last 15 minutes as a sub for Vidić with the score 2-0 for Serbia as it eventually clinched the World Cup spot with a 5-0 thrashing. In the last meaningless qualifier versus Lithuania, Subotić played the full 90 in a free role on the wing as Antić looked to experiment and try different setups without any fear of dropping points.
Though he came in with high praise and even higher hopes, Subotić's initial performances for Serbia weren't stellar. Following unconvincing defensive displays and fairly frequent mistakes, he had to deal with plenty of criticism in the Serbian press.
in South Africa
, Subotić was left out of the starting lineup for the opening group stage match versus Ghana
, with Vidić and Luković the preferred choices for central defensive spots by coach Antić. Subotić's benching came as a result of his poor starting displays in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup versus New Zealand, Poland, and Cameroon. However, during the second half of the Ghana match, Luković got sent off, forcing Antić to bring Subotić on for the remaining 14 minutes. Due to Luković's one-match suspension as a result of the red card, Subotić started the next match in a must-win situation versus Germany
, putting in a confident and effective performance against German forwards who despite mounting great pressure spells throughout the match ultimately failed to score as Serbia recorded a famous 1-0 win. Playing against the players he knew well from Bundesliga
, Subotić's showed excellent positional play with a few crucial reactions, including the clearance in front of Mesut Özil
to prevent the rebound following goalkeeper Vladimir Stojković
's penalty save on Lukas Podolski
. For the group decider against Australia, Subotić was back on the bench as Luković returned from suspension.
that began under beleaguered head coach Antić (who was serving a four-match touchline ban as a result of the verbal altercation with the Uruguayan referee at the World Cup). The youngster played full ninety minutes at Faroe Islands in the opener and also in a match versus Slovenia. Subotić's somewhat inconsistent form continued as he established strong presence in central defence with Vidić, but also the duo's hesitant reaction to Milivoje Novaković
's run off the ball led to Slovenian go-ahead goal. Following the Slovenian draw, Antić got fired and Pižon Petrović took over the job. Subotić got called up for the new coach's debut match versus Estonia, but was an unused sub as Serbia disastrously lost a competitive match at home for the first time in nine years. Pižon included Subotić in the starting lineup for the next qualifier away at Italy, but the infamous contest in Genoa
got interrupted after six minutes due to rioting by the traveling Serbian hooligans.
As the qualifying resumed in late March 2011 Subotić got the start at home versus Northern Ireland. Since center back Lukovic announced his retirement from international football before this match, 22-year-old Subotić pretty much became an automatic first-team choice. However, partnering Milan Biševac
in central defence (on instead of injured Vidić), Subotić again had a shaky performance as the duo failed to properly deal with Chris Brunt
's set piece cross that led to Gareth McAuley
's headed goal. Furthermore, Subotić picked up an injury during the match that ruled him out of the next qualifier four days later at Estonia.
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
!#
!Date
!Venue
!Opponent
!Score
!Result
!Competition
song with Filip Filipi
called "Kings of Africa".
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n football defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, who plays for Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
of the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
. He made his first-team debut in the 2006–07 season for 1. FSV Mainz 05
1. FSV Mainz 05
1. Fußball- und Sportverein Mainz 05 e. V., usually shortened to 1. FSV Mainz 05, Mainz 05, or simply Mainz, is a 1905 founded German association football club based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition to the football section the 1. FSV Mainz 05 has a handball and table tennis department...
. In 2008, he signed with Dortmund. He also competes internationally for Serbia.
Early life
Born to Bosnian Serb parents Željko and Svetlana in Banja LukaBanja Luka
-History:The name "Banja Luka" was first mentioned in a document dated February 6, 1494, but Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is a substantial evidence of the Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including an old fort "Kastel" in the centre of...
, SR Bosnia-Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina , known until 1963 under the name of People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
, Subotić was five years old when the family moved to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1994, settling in the town of Schömberg. Subotić took up football at the age of 7 with the local outfit TSV Schwarzenberg.
In the late 1990s his family's residence authorization in Germany expired and in order to avoid being deported back to Bosnia they opted to move to the USA in 1999. They settled in Salt Lake City where Subotić's father had a cousin. Subotić played soccer with Sparta Gold and Impact Black youth clubs.
Within two years the family was on the move again, this time to Bradenton
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
so that Subotić sister Natalija could pursue a tennis career at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy
Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy
The Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy is located in Bradenton, Florida, and was founded in 1978 by Nick Bollettieri as a full-time tennis boarding school that combines intensive tennis training with an academic curriculum....
. The city also happens to be the base
IMG Soccer Academy
The IMG Soccer Academy is part of the IMG Academies located in Bradenton, Florida. It is U.S. Soccer's full-time residency program for the United States' U-17 and U-16 mens national teams. Started in 1999, it has become integral in developing the United States' top youth soccer prospects...
for the United States U-17 national team
United States U-17 men's national soccer team
The United States U-17 men's national soccer team is the national under-17 association football team of the United States and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation...
. Subotić trained on his own in G.T. Bray Park where he got spotted by Keith Fulk, one of the US team's assistant coaches who then informed the team's head coach John Ellinger
John Ellinger
John Ellinger is a former American soccer coach of the Under-17 United States men's national soccer team, and former head coach of Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer....
about Subotić. After arranging a tryout, they offered Subotić a spot in the residency camp. At the time he was not attached to any club sides, but eventually started playing with the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
team.
While playing with the U-17 team in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Subotić was approached by player agent Steve Kelly who inquired about his career plans and offered a possibility of playing in Europe. After impressing at the tryout for 1. FSV Mainz 05
1. FSV Mainz 05
1. Fußball- und Sportverein Mainz 05 e. V., usually shortened to 1. FSV Mainz 05, Mainz 05, or simply Mainz, is a 1905 founded German association football club based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition to the football section the 1. FSV Mainz 05 has a handball and table tennis department...
, young Subotić was on his way there, initially playing for the club's youth and fourth-division teams (1. FSV Mainz 05 II).
Mainz 05
Subotić made his professional debut for Mainz 051. FSV Mainz 05
1. Fußball- und Sportverein Mainz 05 e. V., usually shortened to 1. FSV Mainz 05, Mainz 05, or simply Mainz, is a 1905 founded German association football club based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition to the football section the 1. FSV Mainz 05 has a handball and table tennis department...
in the last match of the 2006–07 season against Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
as his team was relegated from the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
. In the 2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
the following season, he seized a starting role in what was the leagues best defense, conceding only 37 goals. The team finished in fourth place, missing the promotion back to Bundesliga by only two points.
In the 2008 summer off-season, Mainz head coach Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Norbert Klopp is a retired German footballer and current manager of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga....
got a job coaching Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
and was instrumental in bringing Subotić along with him.
Borussia Dortmund
On 4 June 2008, it was announced that Subotić had signed with Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
on a 5-year contract. He debuted for his new club in the unofficial German Supercup match against Bayern Munich, which Dortmund won 2–1. Subotić's defensive displays quickly turned a lot of heads. In December 2008, he was named in the ideal 11 team of the first part of the 2008–09 Bundesliga season alongside such defensive stars as Lúcio
Lúcio
Lucimar Ferreira da Silva , commonly known as Lúcio, is a World Cup-winning Brazilian footballer who plays for Italian Serie A club Inter and the Brazil national team. He is a strong defender with good aerial play, who adds presence in the attack.Lúcio began his professional career in 1997, in one...
and Philip Lahm. In addition to confident and effective defensive displays far beyond his years, Subotić was also a factor on the offensive end - scoring 6 league goals throughout the season.
In June 2009, he signed a new contract which last until summer 2014. In the 2009–10 Bundesliga season, Subotić was one of only four players in the entire league to play every minute of every league match.
On 15 December 2010, Subotić got his first goal ever in the European competition, scoring a header off a corner at Sevilla
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
in the Europa League
2010–11 UEFA Europa League group stage
This article details the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League group stage.The group stage featured 48 teams: the title holders, Atlético Madrid, the 37 winners of the play-off round, and the 10 losing teams from the Champions League play-off round...
to tie the score at 2–2. The match was a decider on which of the two teams would go on from the group stage as Borussia needed to win away, while Sevilla was fine even with a draw. It ended 22 and Borussia got eliminated. Throughout the 2010-11 winter transfer window, Subotić was repeatedly linked with a move to Chelsea as the London club decided to look for a central defender following injuries to Alex
Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa
Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, better known as Alex , is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Chelsea FC and the Brazil national team. His nickname is "Vinny" amongst fans for his close similarities to actor Vin Diesel....
and general poor defensive form. In mid January, the Blues reportedly even submitted a formal offer to the tune of £17.5 million, but Borussia turned it down.
Career statistics
|-|2006–07||rowspan="2"|1. FSV Mainz 05
1. FSV Mainz 05
1. Fußball- und Sportverein Mainz 05 e. V., usually shortened to 1. FSV Mainz 05, Mainz 05, or simply Mainz, is a 1905 founded German association football club based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition to the football section the 1. FSV Mainz 05 has a handball and table tennis department...
||Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|2007–08||2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
||33||4||1||0||0||0||34||4
|-
|2008–09||rowspan="4"|Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
||rowspan="4"|Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
||33||6||1||0||2||0||36||6
|-
|2009–10
2009–10 Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2009–10 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 47th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season commenced on 7 August 2009 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions VfL Wolfsburg and VfB Stuttgart. The last games were played on 8 May 2010...
||34||3||3||0||0||0||37||3
|-
|2010–11
2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 48th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions and ended with the last games on 14 May 2011. The winter...
||31||1||2||1||8||1||41||3
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2011–12 Fußball-Bundesliga is the 49th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season started on 5 August 2011 with the season opening match involving defending champions Borussia Dortmund and will end with the last games on 5 May 2012...
||9||0||2||0||4||0||15||0
|-
141||14||9||1||14||1||164||16
141||14||9||1||14||1||164||16
Youth level
Subotić was part of the squad selected and coached by John HackworthJohn Hackworth
John Hackworth is an American soccer coach who is a Coach and Youth Development Coordinator for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. He also served as an assistant with the United States national team and as head coach of the United States U-17 men's national soccer team. He was also the...
for the US entry in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
during September 2005 in Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. Sixteen years of age at the time, he entered all three group matches as a sub during the final five minutes. In the quarterfinal versus the Netherlands that the US team lost 0–2 and got eliminated, he played from the start, but got red carded in the 73rd minute.
He has also made two appearances for the USA U-20 team
United States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
. What would prove to be his last one took place in November 2006 in a friendly after which head coach Thomas Rongen
Thomas Rongen
Thomas Rongen is a Dutch soccer coach, formerly the head coach of D.C. United, the Sporting Director of Major League Soccer club Chivas USA, and the coach of the American Samoa national association football team...
criticized Subotić, who had signed for Mainz several months earlier, for "not accelerating over there to the point where we feel he belongs on the [U.S.] team". Next summer, Rongen controversially did not select him to play in the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada – picking defenders such as Nathan Sturgis
Nathan Sturgis
Nathan Sturgis is an American soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
, Anthony Wallace
Anthony Wallace (soccer)
Anthony Wallace is an American soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
, Julian Valentin
Julian Valentin
Julian Valentin is a retired American soccer player.-College and Amateur:At Wake Forest University, Valentin started over 70 games for the Deacons, and during his time in North Carolina, amongst many recognitions, was named a Soccer America Preseason All-American, was included in the NSCAA First...
, Ofori Sarkodie, Tim Ward
Tim Ward (soccer)
Tim Ward is a professional American soccer player who currently plays as a defender for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
, and Amaechi Igwe
Amaechi Igwe
Amaechi Igwe is an American soccer player who is currently playing for SV Babelsberg 03.-College:Igwe played college soccer at Santa Clara University, where he played forward and scored five goals and had three assists to finish third on the team in scoring. Both his sister, Chioma, and his older...
ahead of Subotić – decision that has resulted in Rongen receiving a fair amount of criticism. While Rongen insisted that a groin injury was to blame, there has been considerable speculation since then that Subotić was so stung by Rongen's criticism that he decided to reconsider his international future:
Full squad
Subotić was eligible to represent the United StatesUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, Serbia
Serbia national football team
The Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
, or Bosnia-Herzegovina. During September 2008, when the issue of his national team eligibility first started getting wider coverage in the football media, playing for Croatia
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
or even Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
were mentioned as possibilities as well, however both options were soon revealed to be media concoctions more than anything else. Bosnia-Herzegovina fell out of the running early as Subotić publicly rejected overtures by the country's football officials and head coach Miroslav Blažević
Miroslav Blaževic
Miroslav "Ćiro" Blažević is a Bosnian Croat football manager. He is the current head coach of Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League....
.
By late fall 2008, it became clear that only Serbia figured in his international choice. Citing sources close to Subotić's family, many reports in the Serbian press appeared about his decision to play for Serbia already being made, but waiting for the right moment to state it publicly since he had until 10 December 2009 (his 21st birthday) to declare his choice. In mid December 2008 Subotić informed national team head coach Radomir Antić
Radomir Antic
Radomir Antić is a Serbian former football defender and former football manager for the Serbian national team.Following a 17-year playing career he found his true calling in coaching....
about his decision to represent Serbia. Then in late December 2008, Subotić notified US Soccer Federation about his decision – the first official step in the process of changing national team attachment.
2010 World Cup qualifying
On 28 March 2009, Subotić made his debut for the Serbian national team, in the 2010 World Cup qualifier against RomaniaRomania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
in Constanţa
Constanta
Constanța is the oldest extant city in Romania, founded around 600 BC. The city is located in the Dobruja region of Romania, on the Black Sea coast. It is the capital of Constanța County and the largest city in the region....
that Serbia won 2–3. Coming on as a 65th minute sub for striker Marko Pantelić
Marko Pantelic
Marko Pantelić is a Serbian footballer, who plays for Olympiacos.-Early years:...
with Serbia leading 1-3, Subotić played the slightly altered central defensive role as Antić looked to protect the lead for the remaining thirty minutes in the crucial qualifying match. Afterwards, head coach Antić was very supportive of his new young defender, comparing him to Fernando Hierro
Fernando Hierro
Fernando Ruiz Hierro is a retired Spanish footballer. He is mostly known for his spells with Real Madrid and Spain, appearing in more than 500 official games with the former and representing the latter on nearly 100 occasions, whilst appearing in four World Cups and two European...
. After starting against Sweden in a friendly, Subotić's first competitive start took place versus Austria on 6 June just after the end of club season, partnering Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
in central defence (if only for one half since Vidić got injured and replaced by Antonio Rukavina
Antonio Rukavina
Antonio Rukavina is a Serbian footballer who currently plays for TSV 1860 München.-Club career:...
) - the contest in which Serbia displayed a very letarghic overall team effort and was lucky to win 1-0 after numerous defensive breakdowns. Four days later on 10 June 2009, Subotić scored his first goal for Serbia
Serbia national football team
The Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
in a fairly straightforward 2–0 win over Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team
The Faroe Islands national football team represents the Faroe Islands in association football and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association, the governing body for football in the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands became a member of FIFA in 1988 and UEFA in 1990 and are the third...
. For the next qualifier at the end of summer against France - Serbia's chance to seal qualification by winning at home - Subotić got benched and didn't enter the contest at all as Antić preferred Aleksandar Luković
Aleksandar Lukovic
Aleksandar Luković is a Serbian footballer who plays as a left back or centre back for Zenit St. Petersburg and the Serbian national team. He is known for his aggressive style of play.-Biography:...
to partner Vidić on this occasion. The same central defensive pairing started the next qualifier against Romania at home (another chance to automatically qualify with a win after failing to beat the French), while Subotić got a chance to run out for the last 15 minutes as a sub for Vidić with the score 2-0 for Serbia as it eventually clinched the World Cup spot with a 5-0 thrashing. In the last meaningless qualifier versus Lithuania, Subotić played the full 90 in a free role on the wing as Antić looked to experiment and try different setups without any fear of dropping points.
Though he came in with high praise and even higher hopes, Subotić's initial performances for Serbia weren't stellar. Following unconvincing defensive displays and fairly frequent mistakes, he had to deal with plenty of criticism in the Serbian press.
2010 World Cup
At the 2010 World Cup2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Subotić was left out of the starting lineup for the opening group stage match versus Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
, with Vidić and Luković the preferred choices for central defensive spots by coach Antić. Subotić's benching came as a result of his poor starting displays in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup versus New Zealand, Poland, and Cameroon. However, during the second half of the Ghana match, Luković got sent off, forcing Antić to bring Subotić on for the remaining 14 minutes. Due to Luković's one-match suspension as a result of the red card, Subotić started the next match in a must-win situation versus Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
, putting in a confident and effective performance against German forwards who despite mounting great pressure spells throughout the match ultimately failed to score as Serbia recorded a famous 1-0 win. Playing against the players he knew well from Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
, Subotić's showed excellent positional play with a few crucial reactions, including the clearance in front of Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil is a footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and for the German national team. Özil has been a youth national team member since 2006, and a member of the German national team since 2009. He gained international attention during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was nominated...
to prevent the rebound following goalkeeper Vladimir Stojković
Vladimir Stojkovic
Vladimir Stojković is a Serbian football goalkeeper who plays for FK Partizan and for the Serbian national team.-Family:Stojković was born into a sporting family...
's penalty save on Lukas Podolski
Lukas Podolski
Lukas Josef Podolski ; born Łukasz Podolski ) on 4 June 1985 in Gliwice, Poland) is a German footballer who plays as a striker/winger for 1. FC Köln and for the German national team. He joined 1. FC Köln in 1995 where he broke into the first team in 2003 and made 81 appearances for the club before...
. For the group decider against Australia, Subotić was back on the bench as Luković returned from suspension.
Euro 2012 qualifying
Subotić was back in the starting squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiersUEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group C
This page shows the standings and results for Group C of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying tournament.- Standings :- Results and fixtures :Group C fixtures were negotiated between the participants in a meeting held in Belgrade on 8 March 2010.----...
that began under beleaguered head coach Antić (who was serving a four-match touchline ban as a result of the verbal altercation with the Uruguayan referee at the World Cup). The youngster played full ninety minutes at Faroe Islands in the opener and also in a match versus Slovenia. Subotić's somewhat inconsistent form continued as he established strong presence in central defence with Vidić, but also the duo's hesitant reaction to Milivoje Novaković
Milivoje Novakovic
Milivoje Novakovič is a Slovenian footballer who plays for 1. FC Köln and the Slovenia national team.-Club career:...
's run off the ball led to Slovenian go-ahead goal. Following the Slovenian draw, Antić got fired and Pižon Petrović took over the job. Subotić got called up for the new coach's debut match versus Estonia, but was an unused sub as Serbia disastrously lost a competitive match at home for the first time in nine years. Pižon included Subotić in the starting lineup for the next qualifier away at Italy, but the infamous contest in Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
got interrupted after six minutes due to rioting by the traveling Serbian hooligans.
As the qualifying resumed in late March 2011 Subotić got the start at home versus Northern Ireland. Since center back Lukovic announced his retirement from international football before this match, 22-year-old Subotić pretty much became an automatic first-team choice. However, partnering Milan Biševac
Milan Biševac
Milan Biševac is a Serbian footballer who plays for French side Paris Saint-Germain.- Career :...
in central defence (on instead of injured Vidić), Subotić again had a shaky performance as the duo failed to properly deal with Chris Brunt
Chris Brunt
Christopher Brunt is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. He plays as a left winger and more recently an attacking midfield position. He is also the Albion captain....
's set piece cross that led to Gareth McAuley
Gareth McAuley
Gareth Gerald McAuley is a Northern Ireland footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a defender.-Early career:...
's headed goal. Furthermore, Subotić picked up an injury during the match that ruled him out of the next qualifier four days later at Estonia.
International goals
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!Date
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!Opponent
!Score
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!Competition
Club
Borussia Dortmund- BundesligaFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
: 1
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- 2010–112010–11 Fußball-BundesligaThe 2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 48th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions and ended with the last games on 14 May 2011. The winter...
- 2010–11
Other activities
In 2010 Subotić recorded a danceDance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
song with Filip Filipi
Filip Filipi
Filip Filipi , formally known by his stage name Sin is a Serbian rapper, producer, song writer and the creator of The Cartel Argentina clothing line...
called "Kings of Africa".