Serbian footballer
Andrija "Mesi"[2] Maksimović (Serbian Cyrillic: Андрија "Меси" Максимовић; born 5 June 2007) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Red Star Belgrade and the Serbia national team.
Early life
He was born in 2007 in Novi Pazar, Serbia.[3] He first played football for FK Pazar Juniors, and played for OFK Vlada Dimitrijević before joining Red Star Youth academy.[2][4]
Club career
Grafičar Beograd
In the summer of 2023, he was sent on dual registration from Red Star Belgrade to Grafičar Beograd.[5] On 11 August 2023, he made his professional debut at the age of 16 years, 2 months and 5 days in the Serbian First League match against FK Jedinstvo Ub, and he scored his first professional goal.[6]
Red Star Belgrade
On 5 September 2023, he signed a contract extension with Red Star Belgrade,[7] and was placed on the B list for the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League group stage.[8]
On 6 December 2023, he made his debut for the first team at the age of 16 years, 6 months and 1 day in the Serbian Cup match against FK Radnički Niš.[9]
On 23 September 2024, he made his first appearance in the starting eleven for the first team and his Eternal derby debut at the age of 17 years, 3 months and 18 days in the Serbian SuperLiga match against Partizan Belgrade, and he assisted Silas Katompa Mvumpa's goal, becoming the youngest assistant in the Eternal derby.[10]
On 27 September 2024, he extended his contract with Red Star Belgrade until 2027.[11]
On 1 October 2024, he made his UEFA Champions League debut at the age of 17 years, 3 months and 26 days in the league phase match against Inter Milan.[12]
On 15 October 2024, he was selected for The Guardian's Next Generation 2024.[13]
International career
On 12 October 2024, he made his debut for the Serbia national team at the age of 17 years, 4 months and 7 days (17 years and 129 days) in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A Group 4 match against Switzerland, breaking the previous record for the youngest player to play for the Serbia national team in an official match, set by Mitar Mrkela on 17 November 1982 at the age of 17 years, 4 months and 7 days (17 years and 130 days) in the UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying against Bulgaria during the former Yugoslavia national team era.[14] He substituted Aleksandar Mitrović in the 74th minute, as Serbia won 2–0.[15]
Style of play
He mainly operates as a midfielder. He is known for his dribbling ability.[16]
Personal life
He has two sisters. He is the son of Serbian footballer Mirko Maksimović.[17] He earned the nickname "Mesi" (Serbian Cyrillic: "Меси") as a child because of his resemblance to Lionel Messi with his distinctive long hair.[2]
Career statistics
Club
- As of 3 November 2024[18]
International
- As of match played 18 November 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
| National team |
Year |
Apps |
Goals
|
| Serbia
|
2024 |
4 |
0
|
| Total |
4 |
0
|
References
