Aleksandar Mitrović
All-time leading goalscorer for Serbia and a symbol of ultimate competitive fire
Aleksandar Mitrović is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Serbian national football team, an ultimate symbol of fighting spirit, physical dominance, and unwavering commitment to the national shirt. Throughout his exceptional professional career, which spans some of the most demanding European leagues to Middle Eastern football arenas, Mitrović has built a reputation as one of the most prolific and feared center-forwards of his generation. Renowned for his imposing physical strength, world-class aerial ability, sharp positioning in the penalty area, and trademark competitive fire, Mitrović has shattered Stjepan Bobek's 67-year-old national record, scored an unprecedented 43 goals in a single English Championship season, and achieved legendary status at both Fulham FC and Al Hilal.
Career timeline
Early life in Smederevo and first football steps
Aleksandar Mitrović was born on September 16, 1994, in Smederevo, Serbia. Raised in a highly supportive environment, he showed immense energy and competitive drive from a very young age. He took his first football steps at local club FK Smederevo, where his natural athleticism and relentless hunger for goals quickly drew the attention of scouts from the country's biggest clubs.
Development in Partizan youth academy and Teleoptik
As a highly talented youngster, Mitrović joined the prestigious youth academy of Partizan Belgrade, one of the most respected development systems in Europe. Rising through all age categories, he worked tirelessly on his technical ability and tactical discipline. He spent the 2011/2012 season on loan at Teleoptik, Partizan's affiliate club, where he gained crucial senior experience, scoring 7 goals in 25 appearances and proving he was ready for top-flight football.
Partizan first-team debut and first league title
In the summer of 2012, Mitrović signed a professional contract with Partizan. Under manager Vladimir Vermezović, he quickly established himself as the first-choice striker. His relentless work rate, bravery, and key goals—particularly in the "Eternal Derby" against rivals Red Star Belgrade—earned him the adoration of the fans. In his debut senior season, he scored 15 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions, helping Partizan secure the Serbian SuperLiga title.
European gold with the national under-19 team
In August 2013, Mitrović led the Serbian national under-19 team to a historic gold medal at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Lithuania. His dominant performances, goals, and key assists earned him the tournament's Golden Player (MVP) award, with media outlets hailing him as one of the world's most promising young strikers.
Record transfer to Anderlecht and Belgian glory
Following his breakout season, Belgian giants Anderlecht secured Mitrović's signature for a club-record fee of 5 million euros. His adaptation to European competition was remarkably swift. In his first season, he scored 16 goals to help Anderlecht win the Belgian Pro League. In 2014/2015, he finished as the league's top scorer with 20 goals, tallying 44 goals in 90 total appearances for Anderlecht before making the jump to the Premier League.
Premier League move, Newcastle United, and Benitez
In July 2015, Mitrović joined Newcastle United for 13 million pounds. In a highly physical and fast-paced Premier League, he scored 9 goals in his debut season, though the club suffered relegation. Under the guidance of experienced manager Rafael Benítez, Mitrović helped the Magpies secure an immediate return to the top flight by winning the Championship in 2016/2017. However, due to limited starting minutes, he chose to move in early 2018.
Fulham FC resurgence, promotion, and fan favorite
In January 2018, Mitrović moved on loan to Fulham, where he experienced a career renaissance under Serbian manager Slaviša Jokanović. Scoring 12 goals in 17 matches, he inspired Fulham to Premier League promotion via the Wembley play-off final. Fulham purchased him permanently for a club-record 22 million pounds. While the club went down, Mitrović dominated the 2019/2020 Championship with 26 goals, taking the top scorer award and firing the club back to the Premier League.
Shattering Bobek's record and the miracle in Lisbon
A historic year for Serbian football. On March 24, 2021, Mitrović scored his 39th international goal against the Republic of Ireland, overtaking the legendary Stjepan Bobek to become the country's all-time leading goalscorer. The crown of his international career came on November 14 in Lisbon, where his dramatic 90th-minute header against Portugal secured a famous 2-1 victory and direct qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
A historic 43-goal season in the Championship
Under manager Marco Silva, Mitrović played an unforgettable campaign for Fulham. Shattering previous records, he scored an incredible 43 goals in 44 league matches, setting a modern era record for the English second tier. He won the Championship title with Fulham and was named the EFL Championship Player of the Season.
Premier League confirmation and World Cup performances
During the 2022/2023 season, Mitrović silenced critics by scoring 14 goals in 24 Premier League matches, guiding Fulham to a comfortable top-half finish. Late in 2022, he represented Serbia at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where despite playing through injury, he scored two goals against Cameroon and Switzerland.
Transfer to Al Hilal, trophies, and world records
In August 2023, Mitrović joined Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Hilal for a record fee of 46 million pounds. He continued his remarkable scoring record in Asia, netting 40 goals in all competitions in his debut season, leading Al Hilal to a domestic treble (League, King's Cup, and Super Cup) and contributing to a world-record streak of 34 consecutive official victories.
International achievements and records
Aleksandar Mitrović's journey with the Serbian national team is defined by passion and pride. Since his debut on June 7, 2013, against Belgium, Mitrović has represented his country over 90 times, establishing himself as a prolific leader. His impact goes far beyond goals; he is the heartbeat of the team, known for fighting for every ball and lifting team spirit under pressure.
The all-time international scoring list highlights his historic achievements. Bobek's long-standing record of 38 goals, which had stood since 1956, was broken by Mitrović in March 2021. He has continued to build on this record, setting a benchmark for future generations of Serbian footballers.
Top international goalscorers list (SFRY, FRY, SCG, Serbia)
Below is the list of the most successful goalscorers in the history of the national team, updated as of mid-2026:
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Active Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Aleksandar Mitrović | 58 | 98 | 0.59 | 2013–present |
| 2. | Stjepan Bobek | 38 | 63 | 0.60 | 1946–1956 |
| 3. | Milan Galić | 37 | 51 | 0.73 | 1959–1965 |
| 4. | Blagoje Marjanović "Moša" | 37 | 58 | 0.64 | 1926–1938 |
| 5. | Savo Milošević | 37 | 102 | 0.36 | 1994–2008 |
| 6. | Rajko Mitić | 32 | 59 | 0.54 | 1946–1957 |
| 7. | Dušan Bajević | 29 | 37 | 0.78 | 1970–1977 |
| 8. | Todor Veselinović | 28 | 37 | 0.76 | 1953–1961 |
| 9. | Predrag Mijatović | 28 | 73 | 0.38 | 1989–2003 |
| 10. | Borivoje Kostić | 26 | 33 | 0.79 | 1956–1964 |
Season-by-season club stats
Aleksandar Mitrović has played at the highest level in five different countries. Below is a detailed breakdown of his appearances and goals by season and club:
| Season | Club | League / Country | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011/12 | FK Teleoptik Zemun | Serbian First League | 25 | 7 |
| 2012/13 | FK Partizan Belgrade | Serbian SuperLiga | 36 | 15 |
| 2013/14 | RSC Anderlecht | Belgian Pro League / Belgium | 44 | 18 |
| 2014/15 | RSC Anderlecht | Belgian Pro League / Belgium | 46 | 26 |
| 2015/16 | Newcastle United | Premier League / England | 36 | 9 |
| 2016/17 | Newcastle United | EFL Championship / England | 29 | 6 |
| 2017/18 | Newcastle United | Premier League / England | 7 | 1 |
| 2017/18 | Fulham FC (loan) | EFL Championship / England | 20 | 12 |
| 2018/19 | Fulham FC | Premier League / England | 39 | 11 |
| 2019/20 | Fulham FC | EFL Championship / England | 41 | 26 |
| 2020/21 | Fulham FC | Premier League / England | 31 | 4 |
| 2021/22 | Fulham FC | EFL Championship / England | 46 | 43 |
| 2022/23 | Fulham FC | Premier League / England | 28 | 15 |
| 2023/24 | Al Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League / Saudi Arabia | 43 | 40 |
| 2024/25 | Al Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League / Saudi Arabia | 42 | 38 |
Trophies and awards
Over his successful career, Mitrović has collected numerous team trophies and individual honors.
Club trophies
| Club | Competition | Season / Year | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| FK Partizan | Serbian SuperLiga | 2012/13 | Trophy Won |
| RSC Anderlecht | Belgian Pro League | 2013/14 | Trophy Won |
| RSC Anderlecht | Belgian Super Cup | 2014 | Trophy Won |
| Newcastle United | EFL Championship | 2016/17 | Trophy Won |
| Fulham FC | EFL Championship | 2021/22 | Trophy Won |
| Fulham FC | EFL Championship Play-offs | 2017/18 | Trophy Won |
| Al Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League | 2023/24 | Trophy Won |
| Al Hilal SFC | King Cup | 2023/24 | Trophy Won |
| Al Hilal SFC | Saudi Super Cup | 2023, 2024 | Trophy Won |
International trophies
| Selection | Competition | Year | Host | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia U19 | UEFA European U19 Championship | 2013 | Lithuania | Trophy Won |
Individual honors
| Honor / Award | Competition / Organizer | Season / Year |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA European Under-19 Championship Golden Player (MVP) | UEFA | 2013 |
| Best Youth Athlete | Sports Association of Serbia | 2013 |
| League Top Scorer (Golden Boot) | Belgian Pro League | 2014/15 |
| League Top Scorer (Golden Boot) | EFL Championship (England) | 2019/20, 2021/22 |
| Championship Player of the Season | PFA | 2021/22 |
| Serbian Footballer of the Year (Golden Ball) | Football Association of Serbia (FSS) | 2018, 2022, 2023 |
| Smederevo Sports Person of the Year | Smederevo Sports Journalists Association | Multiple times |