Yugoslav/Croatian · Sarajevo, Bosnia · Born 12 January 1969Yugoslav-born Croatian footballer and attacking midfielder who became the first player to score World Cup goals for two different nations (Yugoslavia and Croati
Robert Prosinečki was born on 12 January 1969 in Schwenningen, West Germany, where his Croatian parents were working at the time, before the family returned to Yugoslavia and he joined Dinamo Zagreb's youth academy. He moved to Red Star Belgrade in 1987, and his elegant passing and vision made him a key part of the team that won the European Cup in 1991 — Prosinečki was just 22 years old when he lifted the trophy. Prosinečki earned individual recognition early, being voted best player as Yugoslavia won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship, and was named Best Young Player at the 1990 World Cup while representing Yugoslavia. He moved to Real Madrid in 1991, spending time in Spain with Real Madrid, Oviedo, Barcelona, and Sevilla, winning domestic cups along the way. Following Croatia's independence, Prosinečki switched his international allegiance and became a key figure for the Croatian national team, helping the country to a remarkable third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup in France. In the third-place play-off against the Netherlands, he scored a goal that made him the only player in history to have scored World Cup goals for two different national teams, having also scored for Yugoslavia in 1990. Prosinečki retired as a player in 2004 and moved into management, serving as Croatia's assistant coach before taking charge of Red Star Belgrade, Kayserispor, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and later Montenegro and Kyrgyzstan, building an extensive international coaching career across multiple continents.
Only player to score at World Cups for two different countries (Yugoslavia 1990, Croatia 1998)
He is the only player in history to have scored in a World Cup for two different national teams.
Did You Know?How They Played
Creative attacking midfielder with exceptional passing range and free-kick ability
Lasting Impact
Legendary playmaker who bridged Yugoslav and Croatian football eras
Career Honours
- European Cup 1991 (Red Star Belgrade)
- World Cup goals for 2 nations
- 1998 World Cup 3rd Place
- European Cup 1991
- La Liga 1992
- Copa del Rey 1993
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinamo Zagreb | 1986–1987 | — | 2 | 1 | #10 |
| Red Star Belgrade | 1987–1991 | — | 117 | 25 | — |
| Real Madrid | 1991–1995 | — | 55 | 10 | — |
| Oviedo | 1994–1995 | loan | 30 | 5 | — |
| Barcelona | 1995–1996 | — | 19 | 2 | — |
| Sevilla | 1996–1997 | — | 20 | 4 | — |
| Croatia Zagreb | 1997–2000 | — | 50 | 14 | — |
| Hrvatski Dragovoljac | 2000–2000 | — | 4 | 1 | — |
| Standard Liège | 2000–2001 | — | 21 | 4 | — |
| Portsmouth | 2001–2002 | — | 33 | 9 | — |
| Olimpija Ljubljana | 2002–2003 | — | 23 | 3 | — |
| NK Zagreb | 2003–2004 | — | 26 | 5 | — |
| Savski Marof | 2005–2005 | — | 4 | 1 | — |
 Yugoslavia | — | — | 49 | 10 | — |
Yugoslav/Croatian Athletes