Czech · Prague, Czech Republic · Born 4 October 1980Tomáš Rosický, nicknamed 'The Little Mozart', is a Czech former footballer who captained the national team for a decade and starred for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal despite a career often disrupted by injury.
Tomáš Rosický captained the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup, played in four European Championships across his career, and won back-to-back FA Cups with Arsenal in 2014 and 2015, finishing with 105 caps and 23 international goals — the fourth-highest tally in Czech football history. He made his senior debut for Sparta at 17, quickly showcasing exceptional vision and technique, and helped the club win consecutive Czech First League titles in 1999 and 2000, being named the country's Talent of the Year in 1999. Rosický's performances in the Champions League, including goals against Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal, earned him a record-breaking January 2001 transfer to Borussia Dortmund, then the club's most expensive-ever signing. He helped Dortmund win the Bundesliga title in his first full season and reach the 2002 UEFA Cup final, winning the Czech Footballer of the Year award three times during his five-and-a-half years in Germany, nicknamed 'The Little Mozart' for his elegant playing style. Rosický joined Arsenal in 2006 and spent a decade at the club, captaining the Czech Republic at that year's World Cup and playing in four European Championships across his international career. Injuries repeatedly interrupted his Arsenal career, but he remained a popular figure at the club, winning the FA Cup in both 2014 and 2015. He earned 105 caps and scored 23 goals for the Czech Republic, retiring from international football in 2017 as the country's fourth-highest goalscorer, and returned to Sparta Prague for a farewell season before becoming the club's sporting director.
A decade as Czech Republic captain and creative midfield performances at Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal
How They Played
Elegant, technically gifted attacking midfielder known for vision, close control, and long-range shooting
Lasting Impact
One of the most technically gifted Czech midfielders of his generation, remembered fondly by both Dortmund and Arsenal fans despite career-disrupting injuries
Career Honours
- Bundesliga champion (2002, Borussia Dortmund)
- 2x FA Cup winner (2014, 2015, Arsenal)
- 3x Czech First League champion (Sparta Prague)
- Czech Republic's fourth-highest goalscorer
- Captained the Czech Republic for over a decade
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Sparta Prague | 1998–2001 | — |
| Borussia Dortmund | 2001–2006 | — |
| Arsenal | 2006–2016 | — |
| Sparta Prague | 2016–2017 | — |
Czech Athletes