Overview
Andrija Živković, born on July 11, 1996, in Niš, Serbia, has forged a career as a prominent attacking midfielder and winger. Standing at 1.70 meters, Živković is recognized for his technical proficiency, dribbling ability, and vision in the final third. His career began in Serbia, where he quickly gained recognition before moving to stronger European leagues. He has been a consistent presence for both his clubs and the Serbia national team, representing his country in major international tournaments.
Position
Živković primarily operates as a right-winger, offering width and an attacking outlet from the flank. However, his versatility allows him to play effectively across the attacking midfield, including as an inverted left-winger or a central attacking midfielder. This adaptability stems from his strong technical base and understanding of positional play, enabling him to contribute to build-up play and goal scoring. His role often involves cutting inside from the right wing to shoot with his preferred left foot or delivering crosses into the penalty area.
Identity
Andrija Živković is best described as a creative and technically gifted wide player with a knack for decisive moments. His ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, combined with his accurate passing and crossing, makes him a significant threat in attacking transitions. He possesses a keen footballing intelligence, often finding pockets of space and linking up play effectively with teammates. Živković's identity on the pitch is characterized by his flair, vision, and capacity to change the tempo of a game, making him a valuable asset in structured attacks.
Career path
Andrija Živković's football journey began in his hometown of Niš, where he joined the youth ranks of local club FK Partizan. He quickly progressed through their academy, showcasing his talent and earning a senior debut at a young age.
FK Partizan (2012-2016)
Živković made his professional debut for FK Partizan on April 28, 2012, at just 15 years old, making him one of the club's youngest ever debutants. He gradually established himself in the first team, becoming a key player and a fan favorite. During his tenure, Živković contributed to Partizan winning two Serbian SuperLiga titles in the 2012–13 and 2014–15 seasons, as well as a Serbian Cup in the 2015–16 season. His performances in domestic and European competitions attracted attention from clubs across the continent, as detailed on his Transfermarkt player profile.
Benfica (2016-2020)
In the summer of 2016, Živković moved to Portuguese giants SL Benfica on a free transfer. His time in Lisbon saw him gain further experience in a top European league and the UEFA Champions League. While at Benfica, he added to his trophy cabinet, securing back-to-back Primeira Liga titles in the 2016–17 and 2018–19 seasons, along with a Taça de Portugal and a Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. Despite facing strong competition for places, Živković made significant contributions, particularly with his assists and offensive play when given opportunities, as documented on Soccerway's player statistics.
PAOK FC (2020-Present)
Following his spell in Portugal, Živković moved to Greek club PAOK FC in September 2020, again on a free transfer. At PAOK, he quickly became an integral part of the team, enjoying regular first-team football and showcasing his abilities consistently. His impact was immediate, helping PAOK win the Greek Cup in the 2020–21 season. Živković has continued to be a crucial player for PAOK in both domestic competitions and the UEFA Europa Conference League, contributing with goals and assists, solidifying his status as a key attacking component for the Thessaloniki-based club. His consistent appearances and contributions are reflected in his Sofascore player ratings and match data.
Playing style
Andrija Živković's playing style is defined by his technical prowess, creativity, and ability to operate effectively in wide attacking areas. Predominantly a left-footed player, he often features on the right wing, allowing him to cut inside and threaten goal with his stronger foot, a common trait among inverted wingers. This positioning also enables him to deliver dangerous inswinging crosses into the box.
One of his key attributes is his dribbling. Živković possesses the close control and agility to navigate tight spaces and beat defenders in one-on-one situations. He uses feints and quick changes of direction to create separation, drawing fouls or opening up passing lanes. His ability to carry the ball and drive at defenses makes him a significant threat in transitions and against compact defensive blocks.
Beyond dribbling, Živković demonstrates excellent vision and passing range. He is adept at playing intricate short passes in congested areas, as well as delivering precise long balls to switch play or find teammates making runs behind the defense. His decision-making in the final third is generally sound, often choosing the right moment to pass, cross, or shoot. His creative output is evident in his assist numbers, consistently ranking among the top providers for his teams.
While primarily an attacking player, Živković also contributes defensively. He demonstrates a willingness to track back, press opponents, and participate in defensive transitions, particularly in systems that demand high work rates from wide players. This defensive commitment, combined with his offensive flair, makes him a well-rounded option for various tactical setups. Comparisons can be drawn to players like Riyad Mahrez in terms of his control, ability to cut in from the wing, and his left-footed finishing and passing. His statistical output, including expected assists (xA) and progressive passes, can be further examined on platforms like FBref's player data, which highlight his creative contributions.
Achievements & honours
Andrija Živković has accumulated a significant number of team honours throughout his career, reflecting his contributions to successful clubs in Serbia, Portugal, and Greece. He has also earned individual recognition for his performances.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| FK Partizan | Serbian SuperLiga | 2012–13 |
| FK Partizan | Serbian SuperLiga | 2014–15 |
| FK Partizan | Serbian Cup | 2015–16 |
| SL Benfica | Primeira Liga | 2016–17 |
| SL Benfica | Taça de Portugal | 2016–17 |
| SL Benfica | Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira | 2017 |
| SL Benfica | Primeira Liga | 2018–19 |
| PAOK FC | Greek Cup | 2020–21 |
International Honours
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2015 (Serbia)
Individual Honours
- Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Season: 2014–15
- Serbian Player of the Year (U-19): 2014
Živković's most notable international achievement came with the Serbia U-20 national team, where he played a pivotal role in their historic FIFA U-20 World Cup triumph in 2015. This victory marked a significant milestone for Serbian football and showcased Živković's talent on a global stage, where he was recognized for his crucial performances throughout the tournament.
International career
Andrija Živković has represented Serbia at various youth levels before making his senior international debut. His journey through the national team setup began with the U-17 and U-19 squads, culminating in a significant achievement with the U-20 team.
Youth International Success
Živković was a key figure in the Serbia U-20 squad that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2015. He played an instrumental role throughout the tournament, scoring two goals and providing several assists, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure on a global stage. His free-kick goal against Mexico in the group stage was particularly memorable.
Senior National Team
Živković made his senior debut for the Serbia national team on November 11, 2013, in a friendly match against Japan, becoming the youngest player to debut for the senior Serbian national team at 17 years and 92 days old. Since then, he has been a consistent presence in the squad, earning over 40 caps for his country. He has primarily featured as a wide attacking player, contributing to Serbia's offensive strategies.
He has represented Serbia in major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup. He was part of the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he made appearances and contributed to the team's efforts. His role often involves providing width, creativity, and energy from the flanks, supporting the central attackers. Živković scored his first senior international goal against Sweden in a UEFA Nations League match in June 2022. Details of his international appearances and goals can be found on the FIFA player statistics page for Andrija Živković.
What makes Andrija Živković stand out
Andrija Živković stands out primarily due to his exceptional left-footed technique and tactical intelligence in wide areas. His ability to consistently deliver accurate crosses and through balls, even under pressure, sets him apart. He possesses a distinctive knack for beating his marker with a swift change of pace or a deceptive body feint, creating space for himself or his teammates. This combination of individual skill and positional awareness allows him to be a constant creative outlet.
Another distinguishing trait is his versatility. While most effective on the right wing, his comfort playing on the left or centrally means he can adapt to different tactical formations and solve various in-game problems for his coach. He is not merely a goal-scorer but a true creator, often dictating the tempo of attacks from the flanks. His free-kick delivery is also a notable aspect of his game, having scored several impressive goals and created numerous opportunities from set-pieces throughout his career.
"Andrija has an incredible left foot and sees passes others don't. He's a player who can unlock defenses."