Mile Svilar

Mile Svilar was born on August 27, 1999, in Antwerp, Belgium. He was born into a football family as his father, Ratko Svilar, was a professional goalkeeper from Yugoslavia who later became a coach. From a young age, Mile showed keen interest and aptitude for football, eventually pursuing a career as a goalkeeper, following in his father's footsteps.

On May 16, 2017, Mile Svilar signed his first professional contract with R.S.C. Anderlecht, a prominent Belgian football club. Having joined the club's youth academy at the age of six, Mile was highly regarded as one of their top young prospects. His signing was seen as an important step in his career as he was expected to become a prominent figure in Belgian football.

Mile Svilar transferred to S.L. Benfica on September 12, 2017, in a surprise move that caught the attention of many football fans and analysts. The transfer fee was undisclosed, but it was reported as a significant investment by the Portuguese club in a young talent. Svilar's move to Benfica was seen as a strategic decision to develop his skills at a club with a strong track record of nurturing young players.

On October 14, 2017, Mile Svilar made history by becoming the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in a UEFA Champions League match. At 18 years and 52 days, he started in Benfica's group stage match against Manchester United. Despite a narrow loss, Svilar's performance earned widespread praise and set a record that highlighted his potential to be a top-level goalkeeper.

Just a few days after making history, Mile Svilar faced a tough challenge when his attempted save allowed a goal in a Champions League match against Manchester United on October 18, 2017. In an unfortunate moment, he carried the ball over the line, resulting in a 1-0 defeat for Benfica. The error was a learning experience for the young goalkeeper, receiving both criticism and words of encouragement for his ability to bounce back from mistakes.

On November 1, 2017, Mile Svilar achieved his first clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League during a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The game ended 2-0 in favor of Manchester United due to other goals, but Svilar's performance, especially a penalty save, was praised as he helped to keep Benfica in the game. This clean sheet was a significant confidence boost for the young goalkeeper.

Mile Svilar became a UEFA Europa Conference League champion with AS Roma on May 25, 2022. Although he was not a starter, his inclusion in the squad was part of the team's depth in their successful campaign. Roma's victory in the final marked their first major European title in decades. As a member of the squad, Svilar shared in the celebrations and the historic achievement for the club.

On June 30, 2022, Mile Svilar completed a move to AS Roma, a prestigious football club in Italy's Serie A. With this transfer, Svilar aimed to further his career by gaining more first-team experience in one of Europe's top leagues. His transfer to Roma was facilitated by the club's intention to bolster their goalkeeping department and work with young talent under the management of Jose Mourinho.

Mile Svilar made his international debut for the Serbian national team on December 15, 2022. Having previously represented Belgium at youth levels, Svilar made a switch to represent Serbia, his father's country of birth. His debut came in a friendly match where he showcased his skills on the international stage, fulfilling a dream to play for the country of his heritage.

Mile Svilar recorded his first Serie A clean sheet on September 1, 2023, while playing for AS Roma. In a tightly contested match, his goalkeeping efforts were pivotal in ensuring a draw against a strong opponent. This clean sheet was a milestone in his ongoing career in Italy's top football division, showcasing his growth and adaptability in one of the world's most competitive leagues.