Eljif Elmas is a professional footballer from North Macedonia, known for his versatility as an attacking midfielder.
He was awarded the title of Macedonian Footballer of the Year, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the sport.
Elmas made his senior debut for the North Macedonia national team at just 17 years old, showcasing his early talent on an international stage.
Biography
Early Life
Eljif Elmas is a talented Macedonian professional footballer born in North Macedonia to a family of Turkish descent. He began his football journey at FK Rabotnički, where he showcased his skills as an attacking midfielder. During the 2016-17 season, he made a significant impact by scoring six league goals, leading his team to a commendable third-place finish in the Macedonian First Football League.
Career Progression
In 2018, Elmas made a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, where he continued to develop his game, scoring four goals in over 40 appearances. His impressive performances caught the attention of Serie A club Napoli, which signed him in July 2019 for a reported fee of €16 million. At Napoli, Elmas quickly became a key player, scoring his first goal in February 2020 and later netting the winning goal against AC Milan in December 2021. His contributions helped Napoli secure the Serie A title in the 2022-23 season, marking a historic achievement for the club.
In December 2023, Elmas signed with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, set to join in January 2024. He is also a vital member of the North Macedonia national team, having made his senior debut at just 17 years old and scoring crucial goals in World Cup qualifiers, including a memorable winner against Germany in March 2021.
Legacy
Elmas's journey from a young talent in North Macedonia to a professional footballer in Europe exemplifies his dedication and skill. His accolades include being named the Macedonian Footballer of the Year, and he continues to inspire many young athletes in his home country and beyond.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of match played 24 May 2026
International
As of match played 1 June 2026
As of match played 1 June 2026 Scores and results list North Macedonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Elmas goal.
Early career
Elmas started his career at FK Rabotnički in his native North Macedonia. After a stand-out season in which he scored six league goals and led Rabotnički to a third-place finish in the Macedonian First Football League in 2016–17, he joined Turkish giants Fenerbahçe on a deal until 2022, with Fenerbahçe paying the former €300,000 for his services. The attacking midfielder went on to score four goals in over 40 appearances for the Yellow Canaries in all competitions before moving to Italy in July 2019.
Napoli
On 24 July 2019, Serie A club Napoli announced the signing of Elmas from Fenerbahçe. The deal was worth a reported €16 million, which could rise to €19 million in total with bonuses – including a €1.5 million sell-on fee clause. He was disciplined by his new club after speaking to reporters while away on international duty in November 2019 for breaching a club media blackout. Elmas scored his first Napoli goal on 3 February 2020 in a 4–2 victory against Sampdoria, helping the club securing its third win in a row in all competitions. On 19 December 2021, he scored the winning goal for Napoli in a narrow away victory against AC Milan, taking over second place in Serie A. Elmas went on to win the Scudetto with Napoli in 2023, the club's third title, and the first claimed outside of the Diego Maradona era.
RB Leipzig
On 27 December 2023, Bundesliga club RB Leipzig announced that Elmas would join the club on 1 January 2024, upon the…
Elmas was born in Macedonia (now North Macedonia) to a family of Turkish descent. In July 2017, it was reported that then-coach of the Turkey national football team, Fatih Terim, had tried to call him up, but Elmas decided to represent his birth country. Elmas was also included in the Macedonia U21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Poland, being the youngest footballer in the 23-man squad. On 11 June 2017, at the age of 17, Elmas debuted for the Macedonian senior squad in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Spain as a half-time substitute for Ostoja Stjepanović. On 31 March 2021, Elmas scored the winning goal for North Macedonia in a 2–1 away victory against Germany during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. The same year in November 2021, Elmas scored a brace in a 3–1 victory against Iceland, helping the team secure a runners-up spot in Group J, leading North Macedonia to a World Cup play-off.
- Club
- FK Rabotnički (2015–2017)
- Club
- Fenerbahçe Istanbul (2018–2019)
- Club
- SSC Napoli (2019–2023)
- Club
- Fenerbahçe S.K. U21 (2017–2018)
- Club
- North Macedonia men's national football team (2017–)
- Club
- RB Leipzig (2024–)
- Club
- Torino FC (2025–2025)
- Club
- SSC Napoli (2025–2026)
- Club
- Atalanta BC (2026–)
- League
- Süper Lig
- League
- Serie A
- League
- First Macedonian Football League
- League
- A2 Ligi
- National team
- North Macedonia
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Macedonian Footballer of the Year
Legacy
Clubs
- North Macedonia men's national football team2017current
- RB Leipzig2024current
- Atalanta BC2026current
- FK Rabotnički2015–2017
- Fenerbahçe S.K. U212017–2018
- Fenerbahçe Istanbul2018–2019
- SSC Napoli2019–2023
- SSC Napoli2025–2026
- Torino FC2025–2025
Played together with
Abdou DialloRB Leipzig · 2022–2023
Abdoulay KonkoAtalanta BC
Abdoulaye BaFenerbahçe Istanbul · 2015–2016
Abdullah ErcanFenerbahçe Istanbul · 1999–2003
Abedi PeleTorino FC · 1994–1996
Aco StojkovFK Rabotnički · 2014–2014- Aco StojkovFK Rabotnički · 2014–2001
Adam OunasSSC Napoli · 2017
Adem LjajićTorino FC · 2016–2019
Ademola LookmanAtalanta BC · 2022–2026- Ademola LookmanRB Leipzig · 2018–2022
Adil RamiFenerbahçe Istanbul · 2019–2020
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Eljif Elmas is a Macedonian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or wide midfielder for Serie A club Atalanta, on loan from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. He also plays for the North Macedonia national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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