Stevica Ristić is a former professional footballer known for his role as a striker for the North Macedonia national team.
He began his professional career at FK Sileks, where he became the best striker in the Makedonska 1. Liga.
Ristić made a significant move to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2007, where he won Player of the Year in his debut season.
Biography
Early Life
Stevica "Stevo" Ristić was born in Yugoslavia and later became a prominent figure in Macedonian football. He began his career in the lower leagues of FR Yugoslavia, playing for clubs like Jedinstvo Vršac and Mladost Lukićevo, where he honed his skills as a forward.
Career
Ristić's professional journey took a significant turn when he moved to Macedonia in 2003 to join FK Sileks. Over three seasons, he established himself as the best striker in the Makedonska 1. Liga, which led to a lucrative transfer to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in South Korea for 250,000 Euros. His debut season in the K-League was remarkable, earning him Player of the Year honors and attracting interest from top clubs, including Urawa Red Diamonds. Ristić continued to showcase his talent across various clubs, including FC Pohang Steelers, Amkar Perm in Russia, and Suwon Samsung Bluewings, before concluding his club career with Jeonnam Dragons FC.
On the international stage, Ristić represented the North Macedonia national team from 2007 to 2012, earning 17 caps and scoring one goal. He made an impressive debut by scoring in a friendly against Albania and played his last match during the FIFA World Cup qualification against Croatia.
Personal Life
Off the pitch, Ristić is a family man, married with two children. His wife is Macedonian, and together they have built a life that reflects their shared heritage and love for football. Ristić's journey from the lower leagues to international recognition is a testament to his dedication and skill in the sport.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
He played for Jedinstvo Vršac in 2001–02 in FR Yugoslavia third level, and then with Mladost Lukićevo in Second League of FR Yugoslavia. Then, he moved, in 2003, to Macedonia to play with FK Sileks from Kratovo. He was the best striker in Makedonska 1. Liga over his first three seasons with them and his great form earned him a 250,000 Euros transfer to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the South Korean K-League. His form in his inaugural K-League season earned him Player of the Year awards and has reportedly been targeted by the 2008 AFC Champion, the Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds, for a rumored sum of 1.725 million Euros. Pohang Steelers agreed a player swap loaned with Shin Kwang-Hoon going in the opposite direction for two and a half years in 2008. In August 2010, Ristić signed a three-year contract with Russian Premier League side Amkar Perm.
He elected to play and made his senior debut for Macedonia in a February 2007 friendly match against Albania in which he immediately scored and has earned a total of 17 caps, scoring 1 goal. His final international was an October 2012 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Croatia.
International goals
Results list Macedonia's goal tally first.
- Club
- FK Sileks (2003–2006)
- Club
- FK Vršac
- Club
- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (2007–2009)
- Club
- F.C. Bunyodkor (2010–2010)
- Club
- FC Pohang Steelers (2008–2009)
- Club
- FC Amkar Perm (2010–2011)
- Club
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC (2011–2013)
- Club
- Shonan Bellmare (2013–2013)
- Club
- Jeonnam Dragons FC (2014–)
- Club
- North Macedonia men's national football team (2007–2012)
- National team
- North Macedonia
Personal
Clubs
- Jeonnam Dragons FC2014current
- FK Vršaccurrent
- FK Sileks2003–2006
- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC2007–2009
- North Macedonia men's national football team2007–2012
- FC Pohang Steelers2008–2009
- F.C. Bunyodkor2010–2010
- FC Amkar Perm2010–2011
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC2011–2013
- Shonan Bellmare2013–2013
Played together with
- Abdul Naza AlhassanShonan Bellmare · 2008–2010
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsShonan Bellmare · 2008–2008
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsShonan Bellmare · 2009–2009
- Adiel de Oliveira AmorimShonan Bellmare · 2006–2011
Ahn Jung-hwanSuwon Samsung Bluewings FC · 2007–2007- Akihiro SakataShonan Bellmare · 2009–2009
- Akihiro SakataShonan Bellmare · 2010–2010
- Akihiro YoshidaShonan Bellmare · 1994–1998
- Akira AndoShonan Bellmare · 2014–2017
- Akira NarahashiShonan Bellmare · 1990–1996
- Akira NarahashiShonan Bellmare · 2007–2007
Aleksandr PrudnikovFC Amkar Perm · 2015–2016
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Stevica "Stevo" Ristić is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. Born in Yugoslavia, he represented the Macedonia national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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