Serbian · Sabac, Serbia · Born 1 August 1988Commanding Serbian midfielder whose physical presence and tactical intelligence anchored the midfields of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Nemanja Matić was born on 1 August 1988 in Šabac, in what was then SFR Yugoslavia, and grew up in the nearby village of Vrelo, where his father, Dragan, coached him in the local youth team from age five. As Yugoslavia disintegrated into war during the 1990s, Matić's childhood was shadowed by conflict for nearly a decade, and in 1999, as an 11-year-old, he personally experienced the NATO bombing campaign against Serbia, an event that struck close to his home village. Matić progressed through several Serbian clubs before signing with Slovak side Košice in 2007, and Chelsea brought him to England in 2009. After a loan spell at Vitesse, he moved to Benfica in 2011 as part of the deal that sent David Luiz to Chelsea, and was named Primeira Liga Player of the Year in 2012-13 after his position was adjusted to a deeper defensive role. Matić returned to Chelsea in 2014 and became a key figure in two Premier League title wins, renowned for his physical presence and positional discipline in front of the back four. He moved to Manchester United in 2017, reuniting with manager José Mourinho, before later playing for Roma, Rennes, Lyon, and Sassuolo. In 2018, Matić publicly explained his decision not to wear a Remembrance poppy, citing the personal trauma of experiencing the 1999 bombing of Serbia as an 11-year-old — a rare public reflection on the wartime childhood that shaped him. He earned dozens of caps for Serbia, representing his country at the 2018 World Cup, and has been active in philanthropy in his home village of Vrelo, funding local infrastructure and owning two local football clubs.
Key role in Chelsea's Premier League title wins and Serbia's World Cup campaigns
Chelsea sold him to Benfica in 2011 as part of the David Luiz deal, then bought him back for £21 million just three years later.
Did You Know?How They Played
Physical defensive midfielder with excellent ball-winning ability, aerial strength, and tactical discipline
Lasting Impact
Reliable defensive midfielder who played at the highest level for over a decade
Career Honours
- Premier League 2x
- Primeira Liga 1x
- League Cup 1x
- Premier League 2015
- Premier League 2017
- FA Cup 2018
- Europa League 2017
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FK Kolubara | 2003–2006 | — | 16 | 1 | #21 |
| Košice | 2006–2009 | — | 79 | 4 | #31 |
| Chelsea | 2009–2011 | — | 2 | 6 | #31 |
| Vitesse | 2009–2010 | — | 29 | 3 | #31 |
| Benfica | 2011–2014 | — | 103 | 7 | — |
| Manchester United | 2017–2022 | £40m | 190 | 4 | — |
| Roma | 2022–2023 | — | 31 | 1 | — |
| Rennes | 2023–2024 | — | 26 | 0 | — |
| Lyon | 2024–2024 | — | 12 | 0 | — |
 Serbia | — | — | 52 | 2 | — |
Serbian Athletes