Marcel Ratnik (born 23 December 2003) is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays as a defender for UAE Pro League club Al Ain and the Slovenia national team.
Club career Olimpija Ljubljana Ratnik started his senior career with Olimpija Ljubljana, playing in the Slovenian PrvaLiga, the top tier of Slovenian football. He signed his first contract with Olimpija in March 2021, valid until 2023. He had to wait until July of that year to make his debut for the club, starting in a 1–1 draw against Radomlje. Ratnik would go on to make eleven more starts that season for a total of 17 league appearances alongside one appearance in the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round against Portuguese club Santa Clara. During the season, he signed another new contract with Olimpija, this time until June 2025.
The next season, at the age of 18, Ratnik established himself as a starter and crucial player for Olimpija. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 home win against Bravo in July 2022. Over the course of the season, Ratnik played a crucial role in his side lifting the league trophy in convincing fashion, making 31 appearances in the league campaign, as well as winning the Slovenian Cup to complete the double.
Ratnik played 49 times the following season, scoring 5 times, a career best. He made 34 appearances in the PrvaLiga and 14 appearances in European competitions, helping Olimpija to their first ever European group stage appearance.
In December 2024, Ratnik became the youngest ever player in Olimpija's history to reach 100 appearances in the Slovenian top division, at the age of 20 years and 350 days. He made 43 appearances in all competitions for Olimpija that season and, as captain, led the club to the league title.
Al Ain In June 2025, Ratnik joined UAE Pro League team Al Ain on a four-year contract for a reported transfer fee of €2.2 million.
International career Ratnik represented Slovenia at all youth international levels from under-15 to under-21.
He made his debut for the senior Slovenia national team on 20 January 2024 in a friendly against the United States.
Style of play Ratnik can play as a full-back, but is predominantly a centre-back. He is known for his confidence with the ball at his feet, with Slovenian football portal Nogomania describing him as calm, sovereign, always alert and versatile. Due to the belief of Albert Riera, his coach during the 2022–23 season, that a player must be able to play in three different positions, Ratnik even played on the wing for a game towards the end of the season against Maribor.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsOlimpija Ljubljana2021–22Slovenian PrvaLiga17000—10—1802022–2331150—20—3812023–2434510—140—4952024–2528220—130—432Total11088000300001488Al Ain2025–26UAE Pro League2304060—10340Career total133812060300101828
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSlovenia202410202500202630Total40
Honours Olimpija Ljubljana Slovenian PrvaLiga: 2022–23, 2024–25 Slovenian Cup: 2022–23
Al Ain UAE Pro League: 2025–26 UAE President's Cup: 2025–26
References
External links