Mile Svilar

{{Short description|Serbian Footballer (born 1999)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Mile Svilar
{{nobold|Миле Свилар}}

| image = Web Summit 2017 - Press Conferences CG1 7321 (38213808892) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Svilar in 2017

| full_name = Mile Svilar{{cite web |url=https://www.fpf.pt/pt/DownloadDocument.ashx?id=15823 |title=Comunicado Oficial N. 131 |trans-title=Official Announcement No. 131 |publisher=Portuguese Football Federation |page=13 |date=7 January 2020 |access-date=10 June 2021 |language=pt}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|8|27|df=y}}

| birth_place = Antwerp, Belgium

| height = 1.89 m{{cite web|url=https://www.asroma.com/en/team/players-and-staff/mile-svilar|title=Svilar – Official Profile|publisher=AS Roma|access-date=23 February 2023}}

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub = Roma

| clubnumber = 99

| youthyears1 = 2008–2009

| youthclubs1 = KFCO Wilrijk

| youthyears2 = 2009–2010

| youthclubs2 = Beerschot A.C.

| youthyears3 = 2010–2017

| youthclubs3 = Anderlecht

| years1 = 2016–2017

| clubs1 = Anderlecht

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2017–2022

| clubs2 = Benfica

| caps2 = 7

| goals2 = 0

| years4 = 2022–

| clubs4 = Roma

| caps4 = 56

| goals4 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2014

| nationalteam1 = Belgium U15

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2014–2015

| nationalteam2 = Belgium U16

| nationalcaps2 = 3

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2016

| nationalteam3 = Belgium U17

| nationalcaps3 = 7

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2016

| nationalteam4 = Belgium U18

| nationalcaps4 = 1

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| nationalyears5 = 2016–2017

| nationalteam5 = Belgium U19

| nationalcaps5 = 5

| nationalgoals5 = 0

| nationalyears6 = 2019–2020

| nationalteam6 = Belgium U21

| nationalcaps6 = 5

| nationalgoals6 = 0

| nationalyears7 = 2021

| nationalteam7 = Serbia

| nationalcaps7 = 1

| nationalgoals7 = 0

| club-update = 30 May 2025

| nationalteam-update = 1 September 2021

}}

Mile Svilar ({{lang-sr-Cyrl| Миле Свилар}}; born 27 August 1999) is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Roma. Born in Belgium, he played for the Serbia national team.

Club career

=Early career and Anderlecht=

Svilar is a product of the Belgian youth teams of KFCO Wilrijk and Beerschot A.C., while in 2010 he joined the Belgian giant Anderlecht. On 27 August 2015, he signed his first professional contract with the club.{{Cite web |last=Belga |date=2024-05-09 |title=Le prometteur gardien Mile Svilar signe pour 3 ans à Anderlecht |url=https://www.lavenir.net/sports/football/d1a/2015/08/27/le-prometteur-gardien-mile-svilar-signe-pour-3-ans-a-anderlecht-NLG6LM54QRATBDLZ22IZMWOK3Y/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=lavenir.net |language=fr}} He was promoted to the first team in the 2016–17 season as the third choice goalkeeper, he was first included in the match day squad in the Belgian Cup match against Charleroi. He was also amongst the unused substitutes in Anderlecht's victory in the 2017 Belgian Super Cup.{{cite web |access-date=2023-11-19 |title=Match : ANDERLECHT vs ZULTE-WAREGEM |url=https://www.matchendirect.fr/foot-score/2464512-anderlecht-zulte-waregem.html |website=MatchEnDirect.fr}}.

=Benfica=

Svilar signed a five-year contract with Portuguese champions Benfica on 28 August 2017.{{cite news|last=Garcia|first=Filipa Fernandes|date=28 August 2017|title=Svilar assina por cinco épocas|trans-title=Svilar signs for five seasons|url=https://www.slbenfica.pt/pt-pt/agora/noticias/2017_2018/08/28/mile-svilar|language=Portuguese|website=S.L. Benfica|access-date=16 October 2017}} On 14 October, he made his debut with the club in a 1–0 victory over Olhanense,{{cite web|title=Taça de Portugal Placard 2017/2018 - Third Round: Olhanense 0-1 Benfica|url=https://www.thefinalball.com/match.php?id=5739983&hp=1|website=thefinalball.com|accessdate=16 October 2017}} becoming the youngest goalkeeper to ever play for Benfica.[https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/taca-de-portugal/guarda-redes-mais-jovem/svilar-o-mais-novo-de-sempre-na-baliza-do-benfica Svilar, o mais novo de sempre na baliza do Benfica] Maisfutebol {{in lang|pt}} In international competition, he broke Iker Casillas' record as the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in the Champions League on 18 October 2017, in a 1–0 home defeat to Manchester United, aged 18 years and 52 days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/benfica-goalkeeper-becomes-youngest-ever-in-champions-league/1y9acxjmz5v1wfa3414egs84|title=Benfica goalkeeper breaks Iker Casillas' record in Champions League clash with Man Utd | Goal.com|website=www.goal.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/benfica/1929/blog/post/3251492/meet-benficas-mile-svilar-the-youngest-keeper-in-champions-league-history|title=Meet Mile Svilar, the youngest keeper in Champions League history|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=Michael Yokhin|date=31 October 2017|accessdate=31 October 2017}} In the return leg against the English side, aged 18 years and 65 days, he became the youngest goalkeeper ever to save a penalty in a Champions League match. In the same match, which ended in a 2–0 away defeat, he also became the youngest player ever to score an own goal in the competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2021636--man-utd-vs-benfica/|title=Man. United 2-0 Benfica|website=UEFA|date=31 October 2017|access-date=31 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/manchester-united-vs-benfica-mile-svilar-matic-daley-blind-goal-penalty-champions-league-a8030436.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/manchester-united-vs-benfica-mile-svilar-matic-daley-blind-goal-penalty-champions-league-a8030436.html |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Manchester United make it four from four on another night to forget for Benfica youngster Mile Svilar|work=The Independent|author1=Mark Critchley|date=31 October 2017|accessdate=31 October 2017}}

=Roma=

On 1 July 2022, Svilar signed a contract with Serie A club Roma until 30 June 2027.{{cite web|publisher=Roma|url=https://www.asroma.com/en/news/2022/7/svilar-completes-roma-move|title=SVILAR COMPLETES ROMA MOVE!|date=1 July 2022|access-date=1 July 2022}} On 22 February 2024, he saved two penalties during the shootouts which ended in a 4–2 victory over Feyenoord in the 2023–24 Europa League knockout round play-offs.{{cite web|publisher=Roma|url=https://www.asroma.com/en/news/70607/svilar-i-have-worked-all-my-life-for-this-moment|title=SVILAR: "I HAVE WORKED ALL MY LIFE FOR THIS MOMENT"|date=22 February 2024}} In the 2024–25 season, Svilar recorded the highest save percentage in the league at 77%, and kept 16 clean sheets, a tally matched only by Alex Meret.{{cite web |url=https://theanalyst.com/articles/serie-a-team-of-the-season-opta-analyst-2024-25 |title=Serie A Team of the Season: Opta Analyst’s 2024-25 XI |publisher=Opta Analyst |date=29 May 2025 }} On 11 July 2025, he extended his contract with the club until 2030.{{cite web |url=https://www.asroma.com/en/news/73503/svilar-extends-his-contract-until-2030? |title=Svilar extends his contract until 2030 |publisher=A.S. Roma |date=11 July 2025 }}

International career

=Youth=

Svilar was a member of Belgium U-16, Belgium U-17, Belgium U-18 national teams and was also a member of Belgium U-19. He was the first choice goalkeeper for the Belgium U-17 team at the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Azerbaijan.

=Senior=

Born in Belgium to Serbian parents, Svilar is eligible to represent Belgium or Serbia.{{cite web|title=Mladi Srbin protiv Manchester Uniteda srušio rekord Lige prvaka|url=http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/mladi-srbin-protiv-manchester-uniteda-srusio-rekord-lige-prvaka/1001835.aspx|website=index.hr|access-date=28 August 2018|language=hr}} On 4 November 2017, he announced that he would play his first game for the Serbia national team in March 2018, as he accepted the call from the Football Association of Serbia.{{cite web|title=Svilar odlucio - igra za Srbiju|url=http://www.rts.rs/page/sport/sr/story/36/fudbal/2928621/mile-svilar-odlucio---igra-za-srbiju-.html|website=rts.rs|access-date=4 November 2017|language=sr}} On 20 August 2021, he received his first call up to the Serbia national football team,{{Cite web |title=СЕЛЕКТОР СРБИЈЕ ДРАГАН СТОЈКОВИЋ САОПШТИО СПИСАК ИГРАЧА ЗА МЕЧЕВЕ ПРОТИВ КАТАРА, ЛУКСЕМБУРГА И РЕПУБЛИКЕ ИРСКЕ {{!}} Фудбалски савез Србије |url=https://fss.rs/selektor-srbije-dragan-stojkovic-saopstio-spisak-igraca-za-meceve-protiv-katara-luksemburga-i-republike-irske/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=fss.rs |language=sr-RS}} he debuted with Serbia in a friendly 4–0 win over Qatar on 1 September 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2021-09-01/qatar-vs-serbia/2239702/|title=Match Report of Qatar vs Serbia - 2021-09-01 - FIFA Friendlies - Global Sports Archive}}

On 5 March 2024, Svilar was called up by Serbia after being absent for almost three years, but he reportedly turned down the call-up,{{Cite web |last=Nedeljković |first=Jelena |title=EKSKLUZIVNO! Svilar odjavio Piksija: Neće više da brani za Srbiju! |url=https://informer.rs/sport/fudbal/883202/mile-svilar-reprezentacija-srbije |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=INFORMER |language=sr}} and was therefore not included in the final squad.{{Cite web |title=СЕЛЕКТОР ДРАГАН СТОЈКОВИЋ САОПШТИО ШИРИ СПИСАК ИГРАЧА ЗА ПРОВЕРЕ ПРОТИВ РУСИЈЕ И КИПРА {{!}} Фудбалски савез Србије |url=https://fss.rs/selektor-dragan-stojkovic-saopstio-siri-spisak-igraca-za-provere-protiv-rusije-i-kipra/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=fss.rs |language=sr-RS}} Serbia manager Dragan Stojković later commented that Svilar will not receive future international call-ups from Serbia.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=VIŠE GA NEĆEMO ZVATI! Piksi o Miletu Svilaru: Znate već o čemu se radi |url=https://mondo.rs/Sport/Fudbal/a1903431/piksi-o-miletu-svilaru.html |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Mondo Srbija |language=sr}}

Personal life

Svilar has a Serbian passport.{{cite web|title=Jedan Srbin može protiv Junajteda da ispiše istoriju Lige šampiona|url=http://sport.blic.rs/fudbal/evropski-fudbal/jedan-srbin-moze-protiv-junajteda-da-ispise-istoriju-lige-sampiona/ksklzep|website=sport.blic.rs|accessdate=16 October 2017|language=sr}} His father, Ratko, is a former Serbian goalkeeper.

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|access-date=19 October 2017}}{{cite web|title=BDFutbol Player Profile|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j29257.html|website=BDFutbol|access-date=19 October 2017}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

!rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Taça de Portugal, Coppa Italia}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Anderlecht

|2016–17

|Belgian First Division A

|0

000colspan="2"|—0000
rowspan="5"|Benfica

|2017–18

|rowspan="4"|Primeira Liga

|3

010203{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}090
2018–19

|1

0604000110
2019–20

|1

000000010
2020–21

|2

000000020
colspan="2"|Total

!7

0706030230
rowspan="5"|Benfica B

|2018–19

|rowspan="2"|LigaPro

|2

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—20
2019–20

|20

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—200
2020–21

|rowspan="2"|Liga Portugal 2

|21

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—210
2021–22

|13

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—130
colspan="2"|Total

!56

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—560
rowspan="4"|Roma

|2022–23

|rowspan="3"|Serie A

|3

000colspan="2"|—1{{efn|name=UEL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League}}040
2023–24

|15

010colspan="2"|—14{{efn|name=UEL}}0300
2024–25

|38

010colspan="2"|—12{{efn|name=UEL}}0510
colspan="2"|Total

!56

020colspan="2"|—270850
colspan="3"|Career total

!119

090603001640

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|1 September 2021}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
Serbia

|2021

10
colspan="2"|Total10

Honours

Anderlecht

Benfica

Individual

  • UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2023–24{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/028d-1af72d7a87db-103be0eecc6d-1000--europa-league-all-star-xi/|title=2023/24 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=24 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024}}
  • Serie A Best Goalkeeper: 2024–25{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Peter |date=23 May 2025 |title=Official: All 2024-25 Serie A MVP award winners revealed |url=https://football-italia.net/official-2024-25-serie-a-mvp-awards-revealed |access-date=23 May 2025 |website=Football Italia}}
  • The Athletic Serie A Team of the Season: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6336642/2025/05/20/athletic-end-of-season-awards-2024-25-men/ |title= The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, 2024-25: Men’s football |website=The Athletic’s |date=28 May 2025}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}