Mario Pašalić is a Croatian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A side Atalanta.
He began his professional career at HNK Hajduk Split, where he made 36 appearances and scored 11 goals in his first season.
In 2014, Pašalić signed with Chelsea F.C., marking a significant step in his career.
Biography
Early Life
Mario Pašalić was born in Mainz, Germany, to a family with Croatian roots. His father, Ivan, is a Bosnian Croat, while his mother, Slavica, hails from Vrlika, Croatia. The family moved to Germany due to the Yugoslav Wars, and Mario grew up in Kaštel Gomilica, where he began his football journey at the local club NK GOŠK Kaštel Gomilica before joining the youth academy of HNK Hajduk Split in 2006.
Career
Pašalić's professional career took off at Hajduk Split, where he made his debut in 2013. He quickly gained recognition, scoring 11 goals in his first season and notably netting two goals in a derby against Dinamo Zagreb. In July 2014, he signed with Chelsea F.C., expressing his excitement about joining the prestigious club. However, he spent much of his time on loan at various clubs, including Elche CF, AS Monaco, and AC Milan, before eventually finding a home at Atalanta BC, where he has been a key midfielder since 2018.
On the international stage, Pašalić has represented Croatia at various youth levels and made his senior debut in 2014. He scored his first goal for the national team in 2020 and was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, showcasing his continued importance to Croatian football.
Personal Life
In his personal life, Mario Pašalić married his longtime girlfriend, Marija Grbeša, in June 2019 on the island of Čiovo. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Luka, in February 2022. Pašalić's family background and personal experiences have shaped his journey both on and off the pitch, making him a well-rounded individual in the world of football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Hajduk Split
Pašalić started playing football at county club NK GOŠK Kaštel Gomilica before joining the Hajduk Split's youth academy in 2006. A youth international, he first gained wider recognition in the 2011–12 season, scoring 17 goals for the under-17s, despite being a midfielder, and scoring the winner for the under-19s in a 3–2 success against Hrvatski Dragovoljac, which secured the club's championship trophy. During the pre-season, however, Pašalić was diagnosed with a staphylococcus infection, being sidelined for the first half of the 2012–13 campaign. He played his first match as a professional on 14 April 2013 replacing Ivan Vuković in the 90th minute of a 2–1 home success against Cibalia. In summer 2013, Pašalić signed a four-year professional contract with Hajduk and went on to make 36 appearances in all competitions during the 2013–14 season, scoring 11 goals and assisting a further five. On 14 September 2013, he scored two goals in a derby 2–0 victory against Dinamo Zagreb, and repeated the same fate on 8 February the following year, in a 2–1 win at city rivals RNK Split.
Chelsea
On 9 July 2014, Chelsea announced the signing of Pašalić for an undisclosed fee. Upon signing, Pašalić stated, "I am very happy because I am now a Chelsea player."
Loan to Elche
On 22 July 2014, Pašalić joined Elche on a season-long loan deal. He made his La Liga debut on 25 August, starting and being booked in a 0–3 away loss against Barcelona. On 12…
On 14 May 2014, Pašalić was on Croatia manager Niko Kovač's 30-man list that was named to participate in the 2014 World Cup. He was not, however, selected for the final squad. He made his debut for Croatia on 4 September 2014 when he replaced Mario Mandžukić in a friendly home victory over Cyprus. In May 2018, he was named in Zlatko Dalić's preliminary 32-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but did not make the final 23. He scored his debut goal for the national team on 7 October 2020 in a friendly 2–1 victory over Switzerland. On 18 May 2026, Pašalić was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Club
As of match played 22 May 2026
International
As of match played 2 July 2026
Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pašalić goal.
- National team
- Croatia
- Club
- HNK Hajduk Split (2013–2014)
- Club
- Chelsea F.C. (2014–2020)
- Club
- Croatia national under-17 football team (2011–2011)
- Club
- Croatia national under-21 football team (2014–2016)
- Club
- Croatia men's national football team (2014–)
- Club
- AS Monaco FC (2015–2016)
- Club
- Croatia national under-19 football team (2013–2013)
- Club
- Atalanta BC (2018–2020)
- Club
- Elche CF (2014–2015)
- Club
- AC Milan (2016–2017)
- Club
- Spartak Moscow (2017–2018)
- Club
- Atalanta BC (2020–)
- National team
- Germany
Personal
Pašalić was born in Mainz, Germany, but grew up in Kaštel Gomilica, Croatia. His father Ivan is a Bosnian Croat from Sarajlije near Tomislavgrad. His mother Slavica hails from Vrlika. They both moved to Germany due to the Yugoslav Wars. He is a cousin of fellow footballer Ivan Krstanović. In June 2019, Pašalić married his longtime girlfriend Marija Grbeša on the island of Čiovo. In February 2022, Pašalić and Grbeša became parents of a baby boy, whom they named Luka.
Clubs
- Croatia men's national football team2014current
- Atalanta BC2020current
- Croatia national under-17 football team2011–2011
- Croatia national under-19 football team2013–2013
- HNK Hajduk Split2013–2014
- Chelsea F.C.2014–2020
- Croatia national under-21 football team2014–2016
- Elche CF2014–2015
- AS Monaco FC2015–2016
- AC Milan2016–2017
- Spartak Moscow2017–2018
- Atalanta BC2018–2020
Played together with
Aaron AnselminoChelsea F.C. · 2024
Aarón ÑíguezElche CF · 2013–2015
Abdelaziz Ben TifourAS Monaco FC · 1956–1958- Abdelillah BaguiSpartak Moscow · 2003–2003
- Abdellah LiegeonAS Monaco FC · 1981–1987
Abdou DialloAS Monaco FC · 2014–2015Abdoulay KonkoAtalanta BC
Abdul Majeed WarisSpartak Moscow · 2013–2014
Aboubakar KamaraAS Monaco FC · 2013–2015- Adam WolaninSpartak Moscow · 1941–1941
Adama TraoréAS Monaco FC · 2015
Adel TaarabtAC Milan · 2014–2014
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Mario Pašalić is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A side Atalanta. Born in Germany, he plays for the Croatia national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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