Marko Babić (footballer)

For the soldier of the same name, see Marko Babić (soldier).

Marko Babić

Personal information
Date of birth	(1981-01-28) 28 January 1981
Place of birth	Osijek, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Left midfielder / full-back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–1999	Osijek	16	(0)
2000–2007	Bayer 04 Leverkusen	144	(13)
2007–2009	Real Betis	12	(0)
2009	Hertha BSC	8	(0)
2009–2010	Real Zaragoza	14	(0)
2010–2012	Osijek	26	(4)
2013	LASK Linz	8	(0)
Total		228	(17)
International career‡
1997	Croatia U15	1	(0)
1996–1999	Croatia U17	12	(2)
1999–2000	Croatia U18	3	(0)
1999–2000	Croatia U19	8	(4)
2000–2001	Croatia U20	3	(0)
2002–2004	Croatia U21	9	(3)
2002–2008	Croatia	49	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 July 2013 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 May 2011

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.

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.

Career

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.

International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	4 June 2005	Vasil Levski, Sofia	Bulgaria	1 – 0	3 – 1	World Cup 2006 Qualifying
2	23 May 2006	Ernst Happel, Vienna	Austria	3 – 1	4 – 1	Friendly
3	28 May 2006	Gradski vrt, Osijek	Iran	2 – 2	2 – 2	Friendly

External links

• Marko Babić at the Croatian Football Federation
• Marko Babić – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Babić.html Marko Babić at National-Football-Teams.com