Ľubomír Moravčík

Early career

Moravčík began his career at Czechoslovak First League club Plastika Nitra, making his league debut on 16 October 1983 against FK Teplice. He spoke about his early career in an interview with the Slovak podcast, Podcast Výkrok: "I grew up in a very successful generation of Nitra, with whom we became champions of Slovakia in pupils, as younger teenagers we finished third and again became masters as older teenagers. But during my time in Shala, I never dreamed of the first league. However, when Nitra was on the verge of falling out, the club's management decided to give the young players a chance. And that meant my entry into the Premier League scene." Moravčík went on to make over 170 appearances for the club before leaving 1990 to join French Ligue 1 club Saint-Étienne, where he played over 230 matches. He later moved to Bastia and then MSV Duisburg in Germany.

Celtic

On 27 October 1998, Moravčík signed for Scottish Premier League side Celtic for a fee of £330,000. The transfer linked him up with fellow Slovak Jozef Vengloš, who was Celtic manager at the time. Initially sceptical of the impact a then-33-year-old footballer could have, Moravčík became a hero in the eyes of the Parkhead faithful, forming an outstanding partnership with Henrik Larsson. Moravčík made his league debut in a 6–1 victory against Dundee United on 7 November 1998. The same year on 21 November, he scored his first two goals against Old Firm rivals Rangers, which ended in…

Moravčík made a total of 80 appearances for Czechoslovakia and Slovakia between 1987 and 2000. He debuted for the former national team on 11 November 1987 in a 2–0 friendly victory against Wales and scored his first goal in a 3–0 victory against Switzerland during the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification. Moravčík played at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, where he was sent off against Germany in the quarter-final in Milan. Germany won the game 1–0. His debut for the newly-established Slovak senior squad occurred on 30 March 1994 in a 2–1 friendly victory against Malta.

Moravčík began his managerial career with Slovak national U-17 team before being appointed coach of FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce, the team from highest Slovak league, Corgoň Liga. He is also vice-president of the Slovak Football Association and assistant of ŠKF Sereď. Moravčík also has an engineering degree from the Slovak University of Agriculture, which he gained whilst playing for Nitra. "I think getting a college degree apart from professional sports is more complicated nowadays than when I studied", he said. "The communist regime was proud that the athletes growing up in its establishment had a university degree and were very accommodating. Athletes had individual study plans, various concessions, teachers sometimes turned a blind eye, and were proud to educate a representative of Czechoslovakia. Honestly, I was not an exceptional student, but I tried to come to school honestly and learn. Professors also appreciated my efforts and did not hinder me. Today, graduating from university is extremely challenging for a top athlete with multi-phase daily training, rehabilitation, training and matches. The athlete must define his priorities. I was lucky that, in addition to sports, they also provided us with education. Today is a different time, but I consider the completion of the graduation to be a necessary minimum, this can certainly be managed in addition to sports."

A free kick specialist, Moravčík was reminiscent of the old-fashioned inside forward. He was also known for his ability to use both his left and right legs. "It's easy, always notice which foot the player is leading the ball," he told Podcast Vykroč in November 2021. "I never led the ball with my left foot. Yes, I knew how to move it and kick it with my left foot. Through targeted long-term training, I improved my left leg so that I did not distinguish at all when kicking and passing, whether by kicking with my left or right foot. But I always led the ball right." Henrik Larsson said: "For me, [Moravčík] is one of the best players I ever played with. Still to this day I don't know if he was right-footed or left-footed." Moravčík's two-footedness has also been praised by Pavel Nedvěd.