Stefan Ristovski is a Macedonian footballer known for playing as a right-back.
Ristovski began his professional career at FK Vardar before moving to Italy to join Parma Calcio 1913.
He made his international debut for North Macedonia in 2011 and has since earned over 50 caps.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Stefan Ristovski, a talented Macedonian footballer, was born in Skopje, where he began his football journey at his hometown club, FK Vardar. His potential was evident early on, leading to a significant move to Italy when he signed a five-year deal with Parma Calcio 1913 in January 2010, just before turning 18.
Professional Journey
Ristovski's career has seen him traverse various clubs across Italy and Croatia. After a loan spell at Crotone in 2011, he moved to Frosinone and then Bari, showcasing his adaptability and skill as a right-back. His time at Parma was marked by challenges, including a bankruptcy that affected his contract. In July 2015, he joined HNK Rijeka, facilitated by a unique transfer arrangement with Spezia. His career continued to flourish as he signed with Sporting CP in 2017 and later with GNK Dinamo Zagreb in 2021, where he made a notable debut in a derby match.
International Career
Ristovski has been a key player for the North Macedonia national team since his debut in 2011. He earned over 50 caps and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2020, marking a historic moment for North Macedonia. However, his tenure has not been without controversy; in August 2023, he publicly withdrew from the national team amid a dispute with the head coach regarding team philosophy, although he later returned for friendly matches.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Ristovski has a close-knit family, with his younger brother Milan also pursuing a professional football career. He holds Portuguese citizenship, and his son was born in Portugal, reflecting his international ties beyond the pitch.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of match played 16 July 2026
International
As of 29 March 2022
As of match played 8 September 2020. North Macedonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Ristovski goal.
Born in Skopje, Ristovski began his career at hometown club Vardar before he signed a five-year deal with Italian club Parma in January 2010. He was 17 at the time but the deal could not become official until he turned 18. Ristovski joined Serie B club Crotone on loan on 6 July 2011. After not receiving much playing time, the loan was cancelled in the January 2012 and he was then loaned to Frosinone for the remainder of the campaign. On 5 July 2012, he was again sent on loan, to Serie B side Bari. He was then loaned out to Latina in the same division for the 2013–14 season, returning to them for a second time in January 2015. Before the bankruptcy of Parma, Ristovski was under contract with Parma until 30 June 2019. In July 2015, Ristovski moved to Rijeka in Croatia. The transfer was facilitated through Rijeka's Italian partner club, Spezia. In order for Ristovski to remain eligible under Italy's non-EU quota, he was signed by Spezia on a free transfer and then loaned to Rijeka. On 7 August 2017, Ristovski signed with Sporting. On 2 February 2021, he signed for GNK Dinamo Zagreb. He made his debut for Dinamo on 13 February in a derby against Osijek. In his debut, he received two yellow cards and was sent off.
Ristovski made his debut for Macedonia on 10 August 2011 in an away friendly against Azerbaijan and has, as of April 2020, earned a total of 52 caps, scoring 1 goal. He represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2020, their first major tournament. In August 2023, while captain of the national team (a title inherited from Goran Pandev), Ristovski feuded with head coach Blagoja Milevski over team philosophy and cohesion. He released a public statement on social media announcing his withdrawal from the national team. The announcement came within a month of two national team Euro 2024 qualifiers. The impasse was spawned after the previous head coach Igor Angelovski announced that his contract would not be renewed as he himself had problems with the new administration team of FFM in 2021 despite the team's qualification for its first major tournament. Ristevski subsequently returned for two friendlies the following year.
- Club
- Frosinone Calcio (2012–2012)
- Club
- Latina Calcio 1932 (2013–2014)
- Club
- Latina Calcio 1932 (2015–2015)
- Club
- HNK Rijeka (2015–)
- Club
- FK Vardar (2008–2010)
- Club
- SSC Bari (2012–2013)
- Club
- Spezia Calcio (2015–2015)
- Club
- F.C. Crotone (2011–2012)
- Club
- Parma Calcio 1913 (2010–2015)
- Club
- North Macedonia national under-19 football team (2008–2009)
- Club
- North Macedonia national under-21 football team (2009–2014)
- Club
- North Macedonia men's national football team (2011–)
- National team
- North Macedonia
Personal
His younger brother Milan is also a professional footballer and North Macedonia international. Ristovski also has Portuguese citizenship, and his son was born in Portugal.
Clubs
- North Macedonia men's national football team2011current
- HNK Rijeka2015current
- FK Vardar2008–2010
- North Macedonia national under-19 football team2008–2009
- North Macedonia national under-21 football team2009–2014
- Parma Calcio 19132010–2015
- F.C. Crotone2011–2012
- Frosinone Calcio2012–2012
- SSC Bari2012–2013
- Latina Calcio 19322013–2014
- Latina Calcio 19322015–2015
- Spezia Calcio2015–2015
Played together with
- Abdelaye DiakitéParma Calcio 1913 · 2013–2015
- Abdelhakim BouhnaLatina Calcio 1932 · 2015–2015
Abdelkader GhezzalF.C. Crotone · 2005–2008
Abdelkader GhezzalLatina Calcio 1932 · 2013–2014
Abdelkader GhezzalParma Calcio 1913 · 2013–2015
Abdelkader GhezzalSSC Bari · 2010–2013
Abderrazzak JadidParma Calcio 1913 · 2010–2012
Abderrazzak JadidSSC Bari · 2008–2008Abdoulay KonkoF.C. Crotone · 2004–2006
Abel BalboParma Calcio 1913 · 1998–1999- Abel XavierSSC Bari · 1995–1996
- Abraham AlechenwuFK Vardar · 2012–2012
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Stefan Ristovski is a Macedonian footballer who plays as a right-back.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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