Marin Pongračić (; born 11 September 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Fiorentina. Born in Germany, he plays for the Croatia national team. Primarily a centre-back, he can also be deployed as a right-back or as a defensive midfielder.
Club career 1860 Munich Pongračić started his football career as a product of Bayern Munich academy, before moving to FC Ingolstadt 04 in 2013 at the age of 16. He made 38 appearances at under-17 and under-19 levels, before moving to 1860 Munich in 2016 in search of professional football. After establishing himself in the reserve team, he made his 2. Bundesliga debut on 16 April 2017 in a 1–1 draw with Sandhausen.
He made seven appearances for the first team, including an appearance in a relegation play-off against Jahn Regensburg. Pongračić was sent off in the 80th minute, as the match ended up as a 1–1 draw.
Red Bull Salzburg
In summer 2017, he joined Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg on a four-year deal. He made his debut for the club on 22 July in a 2–0 victory over Wolfsberger AC. However, due to an abductor muscle injury, he missed thirteen games for the club. He returned to the team for the 5 November game against St. Pölten.
He made his UEFA Europa League debut on 23 November in a 3–0 victory over Vitória Guimarães. He then featured throughout Salzburg's Europa League campaign as they reached the semi-final, where they were eliminated by Marseille. Salzburg ended the season as the Austrian champions.
On 29 August 2018, in a Champions League qualifying play-off return leg against Red Star Belgrade, with Salzburg 2–0 up on the night and seemingly comfortably headed towards Champions League qualification, Pongračić received a 63rd-minute yellow card for fouling Milan Pavkov by stomping on him. The game ended a 2–2 draw and Red Star qualified on away goals.
Red Star captain Vujadin Savić later credited Pongračić's foul for providing extra motivation to the Belgrade club, calling Pongračić out for "provocations throughout the entire match." On 21 February 2019, he provided Patson Daka with an assist for the second goal as Salzburg defeated Club Brugge 4–0 in Europa League round of 32. In his second season at the club, Pongračić helped Salzburg win the double.
During the first half of the 2019–20 season, he made only seven appearances for the club due to injuries. On 5 November, he made his Champions League debut in a 1–1 draw with Napoli.
VfL Wolfsburg After the injury-stricken stint at Salzburg, Pongračić joined VfL Wolfsburg on 15 January 2020 on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a fee believed to be €10 million. On 8 February, in his second appearance for the club, he was sent off after elbowing Alfredo Morales, as Wolfsburg drew 1–1 with Fortuna Düsseldorf. On 26 May, Pongračić scored twice as Wolfsburg defeated Bayer Leverkusen by a score of 4–1.
After he missed the beginning of the new season due to mononucleosis, Pongračić returned to the team on 8 November as an injury time substitute for Xaver Schlager in the 2–1 victory over 1899 Hoffenheim. However, on 18 November, he tested positive for COVID-19. On 27 February 2021, he was sent off in the injury time of a 2–0 victory over Hertha Berlin.
Borussia Dortmund (loan)
On 31 August 2021, Pongračić joined Borussia Dortmund on loan for the duration of the 2021–22 season. He made his Dortmund debut on 11 September in a 4–3 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Lecce On 22 August 2022, Pongračić moved on loan to Lecce in Italy, with an option to buy.
On 30 June 2023, Lecce announced that they had exercised their option to buy with the defender signing an initial two-year deal with the option for a further year.
Fiorentina On 19 July 2024, Pongračić joined fellow Serie A club Fiorentina.
International career Eligible to represent Germany and Croatia, Pongračić was called up to a training camp for the Croatia U17s in 2014. He was capped three times on under-21 level, against Moldova, Austria and France. He was dropped from Croatia's squad for UEFA Under-21 Euro 2019 due to injuries.
He received his first call-up for the senior team on 17 August 2020 for September Nations League fixtures against Portugal and France. However, ten days later, he withdrew from the squad due to mononucleosis and was replaced by Mile Škorić.
He was called up once again on 4 November for same-month fixtures against Turkey, Sweden and Portugal. He made his debut on 11 November in a friendly 3–3 draw with Turkey, having been named in the starting lineup.
On 17 May 2021, Pongračić was named in the preliminary 34-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020, but did not make the final 26.
On 31 October 2022, he was named in the preliminary 34-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but did not make the final 26 again.
On 18 May 2026, Pongračić was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Personal life Pongračić was born in Landshut, Germany. His parents Stribor and Anđelka fled from Slavonski Brod, Croatia to Germany during the Croatian War of Independence.
Pongračić named Kalidou Koulibaly and Virgil van Dijk his football idols. He is also a fan of Dinamo Zagreb.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1860 Munich II2016–17Regionalliga Bayern171———1711860 Munich2016–172. Bundesliga60——1070Red Bull Salzburg2017–18Austrian Bundesliga1603040—2302018–1914020100—2602019–20501010—70Total35060150—560VfL Wolfsburg2019–20Bundesliga112—10—1222020–2110010——110Total2121010—232Borussia Dortmund (loan)2021–22Bundesliga1701050—230Lecce (loan)2022–23Serie A90———90Lecce2023–24Serie A36020——380Lecce total45020——470Fiorentina2024–25Serie A2000080—2802025–2635010121—4812026–273020——50Total58030201—811Career total1993130411102534
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCroatia202020202230202460202550202680Total240
Honours Red Bull Salzburg Austrian Bundesliga: 2017–18, 2018–19 Austrian Cup: 2018–19
References
External links