Mario Božić
# Mario Božić

Mario Božić (Serbian Cyrillic: Марио Божић, pronounced; 25 May 1983 – 3 April 2023) was a Bosnian Serb professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.

At international level, Božić made two appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina between 2007 and 2008.

## Club career

Born in Tuzla, Božić moved to Serbia at an early age and started his senior career with Loznica. He also played for Radnički Stobex and Beograd, before moving to Hungarian club Fehérvár in the summer of 2004. As a regular member of the first team, Božić helped them win the 2005–06 Magyar Kupa. He also made over 100 appearances for the club in all competitions. In the 2008 winter transfer window, Božić was transferred to Újpest. He spent a total of five years in the country, amassing 126 league appearances and scoring 15 goals.

In the summer of 2009, Božić moved to Slovakia and signed with Slovan Bratislava. He spent two seasons in the country and won four major trophies with the club.

In June 2011, Božić signed with Israeli club Ashdod, but failed to make any appearance for the club. He returned to Serbia in the 2012 winter transfer window and surprisingly signed with Borac Čačak. However, after only a few weeks, Božić left the club without making his debut and moved to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

In August 2012, Božić joined Azerbaijani club Simurq, becoming the club's top scorer with six goals in the 2012–13 season.

Božić ended his career by playing with FK Loznica in Serbian second league.

## International career

In March 2007, Božić received his first call-up for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. He made his international debut on 8 September 2007, coming on as a substitute for Darko Maletić in a 1–0 loss to Hungary. His second and final international was an August 2008 friendly match against Bulgaria.

## Post-playing career

On 9 February 2017, Božić was appointed director of football at Loznica.

## Death

Božić died on 3 April 2023 from a brain tumor. He was 39 years old.

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :

| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Fehérvár | 2004–05 | NB I | 20 | 0 | | | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Fehérvár | 2005–06 | NB I | 28 | 6 | | | 0 | 0 | 28 | 6 |
| Fehérvár | 2006–07 | NB I | 24 | 2 | | | 4 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| Fehérvár | 2007–08 | NB I | 14 | 3 | | | 0 | 0 | 14 | 3 |
| Fehérvár | Total | Total | 86 | 11 | | | 4 | 0 | 90 | 11 |
| Újpest | 2007–08 | NB I | 13 | 0 | | | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Újpest | 2008–09 | NB I | 27 | 4 | | | 0 | 0 | 27 | 4 |
| Újpest | Total | Total | 40 | 4 | | | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 |
| Slovan Bratislava | 2009–10 | Slovak Super Liga | 26 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 36 | 1 |
| Slovan Bratislava | 2010–11 | Slovak Super Liga | 24 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 31 | 3 |
| Slovan Bratislava | Total | Total | 50 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 67 | 4 |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 2012 | Chinese Super League | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Simurq | 2012–13 | Azerbaijan Premier League | 25 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 6 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 214 | 24 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 239 | 25 |

* ↑ Includes Magyar Kupa, Slovak Cup, FA Cup, Azerbaijan Cup

## Honours

Fehérvár

* Magyar Kupa: 2005–06

Slovan Bratislava

* Slovak Super Liga: 2010–11
* Slovak Cup: 2009–10, 2010–11
* Slovak Super Cup: 2009
