Igor Matanović is a Croatian association football player known for his role as a forward.
He plays as a striker for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg and represents the Croatia national team.
Matanović made his professional debut for FC St. Pauli in November 2020.
Biography
Early Life
Igor Matanović was born in Germany to a family originally from Kotor Varoš, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His football journey began in the youth team of Harburger TB, where he honed his skills until 2010, when he joined the youth academy of FC St. Pauli.
Career
Matanović made his professional debut for FC St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga on November 27, 2020, as a substitute against VfL Osnabrück. His promising performance led to a five-year contract with Eintracht Frankfurt on August 30, 2021, although he returned to FC St. Pauli on loan the same day. After a successful stint, he moved to Karlsruher SC on loan in August 2023. Matanović's career continued to flourish, and he joined SC Freiburg in July 2025.
On the international stage, Matanović initially represented Germany at the under-17 and under-18 levels before declaring his intention to play for Croatia in April 2022. He made his senior debut for the Croatia national team on September 5, 2024, against Portugal in the Nations League. His participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup was marked by a controversial VAR decision that affected his team's performance against Portugal.
Legacy
Igor Matanović is recognized as a forward with a bright future in football, showcasing his talents in both club and international competitions. His journey from youth football to the Bundesliga and the national team exemplifies his dedication and skill in the sport.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
FC St. Pauli
Matanović played for the youth team of Harburger TB until 2010, when he moved to FC St. Pauli's youth academy. He made his professional debut for St. Pauli's senior team in the 2. Bundesliga on 27 November 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute for Rico Benatelli against VfL Osnabrück. The home match finished as a 1–0 loss.
Eintracht Frankfurt
On 30 August 2021, he signed a five-year contract for Eintracht Frankfurt; on the same day he returned to FC St. Pauli on loan.
Karlsrusher SC (loan)
On 17 August 2023, Matanović moved to Karlsruher SC in 2. Bundesliga on loan.
SC Freiburg
On 9 July 2025, Matanović joined SC Freiburg.
In April 2022, he declared his intention to represent Croatia internationally at the senior level. Matanović was called up to the senior Croatia national team for the first time for the Nations League games against Portugal and Poland in September 2024. He debuted on 5 September 2024 against Portugal at Estádio da Luz. He substituted Martin Baturina in the 61st minute, Portugal won 2–1. On 18 May 2026, Matanović was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by head coach Zlatko Dalić. His side was knocked out by Portugal after a 2–1 defeat in Toronto, where an equalizing 103rd-minute stoppage-time goal from Joško Gvardiol was disallowed as offside by VAR. The VAR used cutting-edge snickometer technology to detect Matanović's hair grazing the ball to rule the offiside in a controversial ruling.
Club
As of match played 31 October 2026
International
As of match played 6 October 2026
Croatia's score listed first, score column indicates score after each Matanović goal.
- National team
- Croatia
- National team
- Germany
- Club
- Karlsruher SC (2023–2024)
- Club
- Croatia men's national football team (2024–)
- Club
- SC Freiburg (2025–)
- Club
- FC St. Pauli (2020–2021)
- Club
- Eintracht Frankfurt (2021–2025)
- Club
- Germany national under-17 association football team (2020–2020)
- Club
- Germany national under-18 football team (2020–2020)
- Club
- Croatia national under-21 football team (2022–2024)
- Club
- FC St. Pauli (2021–2023)
Personal
Clubs
- Croatia men's national football team2024current
- SC Freiburg2025current
- FC St. Pauli2020–2021
- Germany national under-17 association football team2020–2020
- Germany national under-18 football team2020–2020
- Eintracht Frankfurt2021–2025
- FC St. Pauli2021–2023
- Croatia national under-21 football team2022–2024
- Karlsruher SC2023–2024
Played together with
- Aarón GalindoEintracht Frankfurt · 2007–2008
Abder RamdaneSC Freiburg · 1999–2005- Abderrahim OuakiliKarlsruher SC · 2003–2005
- Abdou SallFC St. Pauli · 2006–2008
Abdoulie CeesayFC St. Pauli · 2025- Abdul IyodoKarlsruher SC · 2004–2004
- Achim GlücklerKarlsruher SC · 1984–1986
- Adel SellimiSC Freiburg · 1999–2002
Admir MehmediSC Freiburg · 2013–2014- Admir MehmediSC Freiburg · 2014–2015
- Adolf BechtoldEintracht Frankfurt · 1942–1960
- Adrian KnupKarlsruher SC · 1994–1996
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Igor Matanović is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg. Born in Germany, he plays for the Croatia national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…