Aleksandar Kolarov

Early career

Born in the Belgrade municipality of Zemun, Kolarov grew up in the village of Vojka near Stara Pazova, where he took his first steps in football by playing for the local village club for a year before joining the Red Star Belgrade youth system in March 1997. After four years at Red Star, dissatisfied with playing time, he moved to the youth system of Obilić, spending 8 months there before getting cut.

Čukarički

In 2004, 18-year-old Kolarov moved across Belgrade to Čukarički, which played in the top-tier Serbia-Montenegro League. Signing a three-year contract, he finished the 2003–04 season in the club's youth setup and during the summer of 2004 was introduced to the first-team squad. Making 27 league appearances in his debut season, the youngster left a good impression but could not help the beleaguered team avoid relegation. Kolarov started the 2005–06 campaign for Čukarički in the second-tier league competition, but during the winter break controversially transferred to top-tier league club OFK Beograd.

OFK Beograd

Kolarov joined OFK Beograd in February 2006 and finished out the season with them, scoring his first league goal.

Lazio

In the summer of 2007, OFK Beograd sold Kolarov to Italian side Lazio (the third placed team in previous season's Serie A standings) for a €925,000 transfer fee. Kolarov's first goal for Lazio came at the Stadio Oreste Granillo in Reggio Calabria on 30 September 2007, as he hit a rocket from 38…

Kolarov was a part of the successful Serbia under-21 side which reached the final of the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship held in the Netherlands. As a key member of that side, Kolarov was named in the UEFA Team of the tournament. In the semi-final clash with Belgium, he scored a free-kick from long range. In June 2010, he was selected in Serbia's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he appeared in group stage matches against Ghana and Germany. Kolarov played a major roles in UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers and friendlies. Kolarov was eventually rewarded for an impressive 2011 with the Serbian Footballer of the Year award. On 11 September 2012, Kolarov scored his first goal for Serbia during a 6–1 win against Wales in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. On 7 June 2013, he scored from a free kick against Belgium in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. After a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on 15 October 2013, an image of completely naked Kolarov, accompanied by Filip Đorđević and Nenad Tomović, leaked after a fan sneaked into the dressing room. On 7 September 2014, he scored the equalizer in a 1–1 draw with France. Having helped Serbia qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, their first international tournament for eight years, he was also included in the final 23-man squad for that competition. Kolarov scored the only goal of their opening match against Costa Rica from a free kick. He captained Serbia in all three group stage matches.

Although primarily a left-back, Kolarov could also operate as a centre-back and anywhere along the left flank. Despite not being gifted with significant pace, he was known for his overlapping attacking runs on the wing, as well as his passing, crossing, and powerful ball-striking ability with his left foot, and his accuracy from free kicks.

Club

International

Score and results list Serbia's goal tally first