Mirko Vučinić
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Mirko Vučinić | ||
Date of birth | 1 October 1983 | ||
Place of birth | Nikšić, SFR Yugoslavia | ||
Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Youth career | |||
1998–1999 | Sutjeska Nikšić | ||
2000–2002 | Lecce | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1999–2000 | Sutjeska Nikšić | 9 | (3) |
2000–2006 | Lecce | 111 | (34) |
2006–2011 | Roma | 147 | (46) |
2011–2014 | Juventus | 75 | (21) |
2014–2017 | Al Jazira | 29 | (27) |
Total | 371 | (131) | |
International career | |||
2005–2006 | Serbia and Montenegro | 3 | (0) |
2007–2017 | Montenegro | 46 | (17) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Mirko Vučinić (Montenegrin: Мирко Вучинић, pronounced [mǐːrko ʋǔtʃinitɕ]; born 1 October 1983) is a Montenegrin former professional footballer who played as a forward.[1]
Having caught the attention of Pantaleo Corvino, the sporting director of the Italian club Lecce, he transferred there in the summer of 2000. He played for Lecce as they moved between Serie A and B. His highest-scoring season was 2004–05, with 19 goals in 28 games in Serie A. In 2006, he joined Roma, where he won the Coppa Italia twice; he later moved on to Juventus in 2011, where he won three consecutive Serie A titles. In July 2014, he moved to Al Jazira on an undisclosed fee.
On the international stage, Vučinić played for the
Quick, versatile, and physically strong, Vučinić was known for his creativity, technique, and intelligence as a footballer, as well as his powerful striking ability from distance.[2][3]
In 2018, he began a golf career as a member of the Princess Milica Golf Club based in Tivat.[4]
Club career
Early career
Vučinić started out at his hometown club Sutjeska Nikšić before being snapped up by Lecce in Italy during the summer of 2000 at age 16. The man who initiated the transfer was the club's sporting director at the time, Pantaleo Corvino, who has since developed a reputation for having a good eye when it comes to football talent coming out of Eastern Europe.
In his fourth season for the club, 21-year-old Vučinić scored 19 goals in 28 Serie A games, including a hat-trick versus Lazio on 1 May 2005.[5] Following that successful season, his progress came to a halt with only nine goals recorded in 31 games as his career stalled due to injury.
Roma
On 30 August 2006, Vučinić signed a one-year loan contract with
2006–07 season
During his
2007–08 season
At the beginning of the 2007–08 season, Roma paid Lecce the pre-agreed price of €3.75 million to sign 50 percent of Vučinić's rights.[10] He decided to wear the No. 9 jersey, previously owned by Vincenzo Montella in the last eight seasons, and also stated that he would like to do the same that Montella did at Roma.[11]
As Francesco Totti was usually deployed as a lone striker, Vučinić began to play as left winger in Luciano Spalletti's 4-2-3-1. He scored his first goal of the season in the 2–1 victory against Sporting CP, in the Champions League group stage, allowing Roma to get the vital goal to earn them three points.[12]
In the following game, away to Milan at the San Siro, with Francesco Totti injured, Vučinić started as a striker and scored a header, from a cross by his teammate Cicinho. It was the only goal of the game as Roma picked up a win over their rival. This proved decisive again, as in the game against city rivals Lazio, Roma won 3–2, with Vučinić leaving his mark with a left-foot equaliser and an assist for Simone Perrotta's goal. Another decisive goal of Vučinić was a header against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, securing a 2–1 win for his side as well as qualification to the successive round.
2008–09 season
In June 2008, Roma finally bought Vučinić outright by paying Lecce €12 million,[13] meaning Roma had paid €19 million in total to Lecce.
On 4 November 2008, he scored two goals in Roma's UEFA Champions League group stage match against Chelsea, emerging as 3–1 winners.[14] Roma made it to the round of 16, where they lost to Arsenal on penalties, with Vučinić missing the target in the shootout with a weak shot down the middle that was easily saved by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.[15]
2009–10 season
On 1 June 2009, Roma announced Vučinić had signed a new four-year contract, under which the gross wage of the 2008–09 season would increase to €3.3 million as well as €4 million in 2009–10 season; €4.2 million in the 2010–11 season; €4.5 million in 2011–12 season and €4.7 million in 2012–13 season.[16] The 2009–10 Serie A campaign started off poorly for Roma, forcing head coach Luciano Spalletti to resign after two opening losses. Arrival of new head coach Claudio Ranieri initially failed to change matters with the team continuing to slide down the standings. Vučinić was booed by Roma fans in early November 2009 against Bologna when he finally scored his first goal of the season. After winning that match, however, Roma went on a 24-match unbeaten run in the league, mounting a credible title challenge by the end of the season, in large part thanks to Vučinić's improved form and steady goalscoring efforts that included a hat-trick versus Udinese and a brace in the win against heated crosstown rivals Lazio.
2010–11 season
The 2010–11 season began well for Vučinić, scoring the injury-time winner against defending league champions
The team was also going through turmoil as it was way off pace for the title after challenging for the
Juventus
2011–12 season
On 30 July 2011, it was confirmed that
Vučinić scored a 32-metre goal in extra time to help Juventus to a 2–2 draw against Milan on 20 March 2012, helping his side to a 4–3 victory on aggregate and progression to the 2012 Coppa Italia final.[23]
2012–13 season
The second season of Vučinić started exceptionally well, proving to be a vital player at several occasions. His first Serie A goal came during his second appearance against
Vučinić gained notoriety on 5 April when after scoring a penalty kick goal against Pescara, he celebrated by taking off his shorts and was publicly seen in his briefs.[24]
2013–14 season
On 1 May 2014, in injury time of Juventus' Europa League semi-final elimination against Benfica, Vučinić was sent off for a fight with opponent Lazar Marković despite neither being on the field of play at the time, Marković having been substituted and Vučinić still on the substitutes bench.[25]
Al Jazira
On 4 July 2014, Vučinić joined UAE Pro League side Al Jazira for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €6 million.[26] He enjoyed a first season of individual success, scoring 27 goals in 24 matches and finishing as top scorer of the league, but was troubled by injuries in the seasons following, amassing an additional nine appearances until his departure from the club in July 2017.
International career
Serbia and Montenegro
As a member of the
Montenegro
After
In 2010, in a game against Switzerland, Vucinic gained notoriety after he scored the game's only goal when he took off his pants and ran around with the shorts on his head, showing off his underpants.[35]
Style of play
A quick, strong, talented, and technically gifted player that played with elegance and a perceived arrogance with his style of play, Vučinić was capable of both scoring and creating decisive goals for his team. He could fill any attacking position, but was often deployed as a
Career statistics
Club
Team | Season | League | National cup[a] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Sutjeska Nikšić | 1999–2000[48] | Yugoslavia League
|
9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 10 | 4 | ||
Lecce | 2000–01[48] | Serie A | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 3 | 0 | ||
2001–02[48] | Serie A | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 9 | 0 | |||
2002–03[48] | Serie B | 28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 29 | 5 | |||
2003–04[48] | Serie A | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 13 | 1 | |||
2004–05[48] | Serie A | 28 | 19 | 3 | 3 | – | – | 31 | 22 | |||
2005–06[48] | Serie A | 34 | 9 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 34 | 9 | |||
Total | 111 | 34 | 7 | 3 | – | – | 119 | 37 | ||||
Roma | 2006–07[48] | Serie A | 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6[b] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 |
2007–08[48] | Serie A | 33 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 8[b] | 4 | 1[c] | 0 | 48 | 14 | |
2008–09[48] | Serie A | 27 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 8[b] | 3 | 1[c] | 1 | 38 | 17 | |
2009–10[48] | Serie A | 34 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8[d] | 3 | – | 46 | 19 | ||
2010–11[48] | Serie A | 28 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 4[b] | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 37 | 11 | |
Total | 147 | 46 | 18 | 6 | 34 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 202 | 64 | ||
Juventus | 2011–12[48] | Serie A | 32 | 9 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 35 | 10 | ||
2012–13[48] | Serie A | 31 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 8[b] | 2 | 1[c] | 1 | 43 | 14 | |
2013–14 | Serie A | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5[b] | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 18 | 2 | |
Total | 75 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 96 | 26 | ||
Al Jazira | 2014–15 | UAE Pro League | 23 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 27 |
2015–16 | UAE Pro League | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[e] | 3 | 9 | 5 | |
2016–17 | UAE Pro League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 29 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 32 | ||
Career total | 371 | 131 | 33 | 14 | 47 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 459 | 163 |
- ^ Includes Serbia and Montenegro Cup, Coppa Italia, UAE President's Cup
- ^ a b c d e f Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- ^ a b c d e Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearances in UAE League Cup
International
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Serbia and Montenegro[48] |
2005 | 2 | 0 |
2006 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 3 | 0 | |
Montenegro | 2007 | 4 | 4 |
2008 | 7 | 2 | |
2009 | 4 | 2 | |
2010 | 7 | 3 | |
2011 | 5 | 0 | |
2012 | 5 | 2 | |
2013 | 5 | 2 | |
2014 | 3 | 1 | |
2015 | 4 | 1 | |
2016 | 0 | 0 | |
2017 | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 46 | 17 |
International goals
- Scores and results list Montenegro's goal tally first.[49]
No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 March 2007 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 1 |
Hungary | 1–1 |
2–1 |
Friendly |
2 | 22 August 2007 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 2 |
Slovenia | 1–0 |
1–1
|
Friendly |
3 | 12 September 2007 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 3 |
Sweden | 1–0 |
1–2
|
Friendly |
4 | 17 October 2007 | A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn , Estonia |
4 |
Estonia | 1–0 |
1–0
|
Friendly |
5 | 6 September 2008 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 8 |
Bulgaria | 1–1 |
2–2 |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
6 | 15 October 2008 | Stadio Via del Mare, Lecce , Italy |
10 |
Italy | 1–1 |
1–2
|
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
7 | 9 September 2009 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 14 |
Cyprus | 1–0 |
1–0
|
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
8 | 18 November 2009 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 15 |
Belarus | 1–0 |
1–0 |
Friendly |
9 | 29 May 2010 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | 18 |
Norway | 1–1 |
1–2
|
Friendly |
10 | 3 September 2010 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 20 |
Wales | 1–0 |
1–0 |
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
11 | 8 October 2010 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 22 |
Switzerland | 1–0 |
1–0
|
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
12 | 25 May 2012 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium | 29 |
Belgium | 1–0 |
2–2 |
Friendly |
13 | 7 September 2012 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 31 |
Poland | 2–1 |
2–2 |
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
14 | 22 March 2013 | Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova | 33 |
Moldova | 1–0 |
1–0
|
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
15 | 14 August 2013 | Zhodino , Belarus |
36 |
Belarus | 1–1 |
1–1 |
Friendly |
16 | 8 September 2014 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 38 |
Moldova | 2–0 |
2–0 |
UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
17 | 9 October 2015 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 43
|
Austria | 1–0
|
2–3
|
UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
Honours
- Roma[50]
- Juventus[50]
Individual
- Montenegrin Footballer of the Year: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013[51][52]
- 2014–15[53]
Golf career
After serious injury that occurred while playing in the UAE, he played only two football matches (both of being a substitute in the National team), Vučinić started amateur golf career and participated in several competitions. In 2018, he started playing it professionally by registration as a player of Princess Milica Golf Club, based in Tivat.
References
- ^ rtcg.me. "Mirko Vučinić završio igračku karijeru". RTCG – Radio Televizija Crne Gore – Nacionalni javni servis.
- ^ a b "Player Profile". whoscored.com. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Mina Rzouki (21 July 2013). "The inconsistent genius: Mirko Vucinic". ESPN FC. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ FOS. "Mirko Vucinic has officially started Golfer Career (in Montenegrin)". FOS Media. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- Gazzetta dello Sport(in Italian). Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "Acquisizione a titolo temporaneo con diritto di opzione per l'acquisizione a titolo definitivo con accordo di partecipazione del diritto alle prestazioni sportive del calciatore Mirko Vučinić" (PDF). asroma.it (in Italian). Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ (in Italian) Roma: altro stop per Vucinic, sarà operato al ginocchio sinistro Archived 16 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ (in Italian) Vucinic-gol, la Roma non perde la speranza Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Roma defeat United's ten men Archived 21 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Esercitato il diritto d'opzione per l'acquisizione a titolo definitivo con accordo di partecipazione del diritto alle prestazioni sportive del calciatore Mirko Vučinić" (PDF) (in Italian). AS Roma. 21 June 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2007.
- ^ (in Italian) Vucinic pronto al decollo "Il mio modello è Montella" Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Allen, Richard (23 October 2007). "Roma super sub sinks Sporting". UEFA. Archived from the original on 25 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ "RISOLUZIONE A FAVORE DI A.S. ROMA DELL'ACCORDO DI PARTECIPAZIONE RELATIVO AL DIRITTO ALLE PRESTAZIONI SPORTIVE DI MIRKO VUCINIC" (PDF) (in Italian). AS Roma. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2009. [permanent dead link]
- ^ McKenzie, Andrew (4 November 2008). "Roma 3–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ Hytner, David (11 March 2009). "Arsenal through in penalty drama after Tonetto cracks". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ "Prolungato il contratto economico per il diritto alle prestazioni sportive del calciatore Mirko Vucinic" (PDF) (in Italian). AS Roma. 1 June 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ Bandini, Paolo (25 September 2010). "Roma v Internazionale – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ "Roma, bye bye Champions: il Palermo sbanca l'Olimpico". Sky Italia (in Italian). 16 April 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ Manfredi, Jacopo (19 April 2011). "Stankovic fredda la Roma Inter, finale più vicina". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 17 October 2014.
- ^ "Mirko Vucinic è bianconero" (in Italian). juventus.com. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ "La Stampa – Vucinic alla Juve, affare concluso: "E' la squadra che volevo"". tuttomercatoweb.com (in Italian). Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ AC Milan 2–1 Juventus: Boateng & Seedorf belters earn victory for Serie A champions Archived 9 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Goal.com. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
- ^ "Report: Juventus v AC Milan – Italian Coppa Italia – ESPN Soccernet". Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ "Mirko Vučinić celebrates scoring -- in his pants". 6 April 2013.
- ^ "Juventus 0-0 Benfica". BBC Sport. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ Chambers, Miles (4 July 2014). "Vucinic confirms move to Al-Jazira from Juventus". Goal. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
- ^ Panjković, Zoran (16 May 2006). "Petković saopštio spisak" (in Serbian). B92. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Vučinić se povredio, pauza 15 dana" (in Serbian). B92. 25 May 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Nedeljković, Jelena (3 March 2022). "Počeo sam da treniram pred kraj karijere" (in Serbian). Informer. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Vujičin, Igor (30 May 2006). "Dušan Petković zamena za Vučinića" (in Serbian). B92. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Vladimir Šoškić (25 March 2013). "Tako mala, a tako velika Crna Gora". Sportal. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014.
Pre skoro sedam godina, 21. mаја 2006. godine, proglašena je nezavisnost Crne Gore. Samo nekoliko meseci kasnije predsednik Dejan Savićević je krenuo u izgradnju nacionalnog tima. Prvi potez mu je bio briljantan. Ubedio je nekadašnjeg predsednika FSS Zvezdna Terzića da nema „uzimanja" igrača iz sada komšijskih zemalja. Bio je to potez koji je lišio srpski fudbal mogućnosti da dobije najboljeg napadača Mirka Vučinića, iako je kapiten „hrabrih sokolova" tada isticao da mu je želja da nosi dres zemlje u kojoj se sa ponosom dižu tri prsta.
- ^ "Srećan što nije sa Srbima". Kurir. 10 September 2006.
- ^ Montenegro beats Hungary 2–1 in its first international friendly Archived 16 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Mirko Vucinic celebrates Montenegro goal by putting his shorts on his head". 15 October 2010.
- ^ Gaetano Mocciaro (18 March 2012). "ESCLUSIVA TJ – Ag. Vucinic: "Sbagliato valutare Mirko per il numero di gol. Quelli che fa pesano sempre, da quando ha 17 anni"" (in Italian). Tutto Juve. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ MATTIA CHIUSANO (29 November 2007). "Totti? Roma è pazza di Vucinic Calma, non valgo la sua metà". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ "Juve, Vucinic preferito a Rossi" (in Italian). Calciomercato. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ a b Riccardo Pratesi (2 October 2011). "Tanta Juve, doppio Marchisio Il Milan soffre, poi affonda" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ a b Mina Rzouki (1 January 2013). "The best Juventus players of 2012". ESPN FC. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- ^ a b March Ferri (1 April 2008). "Roma: Vucinic, l'uomo della provvidenza" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ a b MATTIA CHIUSANO (29 November 2007). "Totti? Roma è pazza di Vucinic Calma, non valgo la sua metà". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- ^ a b c d Jonathan Wilson (24 February 2009). "There's no room on Roma's island for both Totti and Vucinic". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Cristiano Sala (30 July 2011). "Sabatini: "Vucinic? Ha caratteristiche soprannaturali"" (in Italian). Tuttosport. Archived from the original on 18 February 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ "'Inconsistent' Vucinic defends himself". Football Italia. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ "LE VOCI – Bonolis: 'Ranocchia per Vucinic? Magari ce cascano!" (in Italian). Juve News. 2 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ Shane Callaghan (16 April 2013). "Vucinic rejects 'lazy' accusations". Goal. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o FSS. "Vučinić Mirko". Archived from the original on 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Mirko Vučinić". European Football. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
- ^ a b "M. Vučinić". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ "Vucinic Montenegro Player of the Year". Football Italia. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ "Player of the year – Montenegro". World Football.net. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ "Summary – Arabian Gulf League – United Arab Emirates – Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
External links
- Official website
- Profile on AS Roma website
- Mirko Vučinić at National-Football-Teams.com
- Mirko Vučinić at Soccerway
- World Cup 2006 Official Site – Upcoming Talents to Watch For
- UEFA U-21 Championship – Serbo-Montenegrin coach Okuka missing key players
- Mirko Vučinić profile, career timeline and detailed statistics
- Mirko Vučinić at ESPN FC
- Mirko Vučinić – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Mirko Vučinić – UEFA competition record (archive)
Sporting positions | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by None
|
Montenegro national football team captain 2007–2015 |
Succeeded by |