Mirsad Baljić

Mirsad "Žvaka" Baljić (born 4 March 1962) is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian retired football player who played as an offensive full-back.

Mirsad Baljić
Personal information
Full name Mirsad Baljić
Date of birth (1962-03-04) 4 March 1962
Place of birth Sarajevo, FPR Yugoslavia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
FK Sarajevo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1988 Željezničar 187 (20)
1988–1992 Sion 126 (41)
1992–1993 Zürich 31 (8)
1994 Luzern 11 (1)
1994-1995 Locarno
Total 355 (80)
National team
1984–1990 Yugoslavia 29 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He got his nickname Žvaka (chewing gum) for his constant use of chewing gum during matches.

Club career

He made his first football steps in FK Sarajevo youth team before temporarily leaving football because of medical problems. When he returned he went to city rivals FK Željezničar, and as one of their more talented youngsters, he got the opportunity to play in first team. His league debut came in 1980 when he was aged 18. His biggest success at the club was reaching the UEFA Cup semifinals in 1984-1985 season under the guidance of Ivica Osim.

In 1988, he moved to Swiss side FC Sion and stayed there until 1992, before leaving to join FC Zürich.[1] After two seasons there he left to FC Luzern and he finished his career at Locarno.[2]

International career

He played in junior, Under-21 and olympic teams of Yugoslavia.

Baljić made his senior debut for Yugoslavia in a March 1984 friendly match against Hungary and has earned a total of 29 caps, scoring 2 goals.[3] He was part of a 1990 FIFA World Cup Yugoslav squad. His final international was a June 1990 FIFA World Cup match against West Germany.[4]

Personal life

He lives and works in Switzerland. His son Omar Baljić is also a footballer, and has played for Swiss national youth teams.

References
  1. Profile - FC Zurich
  2. Priča o Žvaki iz Sarajeva: Legenda Željezničara i reprezentacije Jugoslavije - Sportske (in Bosnian)
  3. Vandenberghe, Luc (12 June 2009). "Yugoslavia National Team Players 1964-1992". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  4. "Player Database". eu-football.info. Retrieved 24 January 2021.

External sources
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