Mirsad Baljić

Mirsad "Žvaka" Baljić (born 4 March 1962) is a Bosnian former professional footballer who played as an offensive left-back.

Mirsad Baljić
Personal information
Date of birth (1962-03-04) 4 March 1962
Place of birth Sarajevo, FPR Yugoslavia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Left-back
Youth career
Sarajevo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1988 Željezničar 187 (20)
1988–1992 Sion 126 (41)
1992–1993 Zürich 31 (8)
1994 Luzern 11 (1)
1994–1995 Locarno
Total 355 (80)
International career
1984–1990 Yugoslavia 29 (3)
Medal record
Men's Football
Representing  Yugoslavia
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Los Angeles Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He got his nickname Žvaka (chewing gum) for his constant use of chewing gum during matches.

Club career

Baljić made his first football steps in hometown club Sarajevo's youth team before temporarily leaving football because of medical problems. When he returned, he went to city rivals Željezničar, and as one of their more talented youngsters, he got the opportunity to play in the first team. His league debut came in 1980 when he was aged 18. His biggest success at the club was reaching the UEFA Cup semi-finals in the 1984–85 season under the guidance of Ivica Osim.

In 1988, Baljić moved to Swiss side Sion and stayed there until 1992, before leaving to join Zürich.[1] After two seasons there he left to Luzern. Baljić finished his career at Locarno in 1995.[2]

International career

Baljić played in the youth, under-21 and olympic teams of Yugoslavia.

He made his senior debut for Yugoslavia in a March 1984 friendly game against Hungary and has earned a total of 29 caps, scoring 2 goals.[3] Baljić was part of the UEFA Euro 1984 and 1990 FIFA World Cup Yugoslav squads. His final international was a June 1990 FIFA World Cup match against West Germany.[4]

Personal life

Baljić lives and works in Switzerland. His son Omar is also a footballer, and has played for the Swiss national youth teams.

Honours

Player

Sion

Yugoslavia

References
  1. Profile - FC Zurich
  2. Priča o Žvaki iz Sarajeva: Legenda Željezničara i reprezentacije Jugoslavije - Sportske (in Bosnian)
  3. Vandenberghe, Luc (12 June 2009). "Yugoslavia National Team Players 1964-1992". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  4. "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 24 January 2021.

External sources
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