Senad Lulić (; born 18 January 1986) is a Bosnian former professional footballer who most commonly played on the left side of the pitch, either as a wide midfielder, winger, or wing-back.
Lulić started his professional career at Chur 97, before joining Bellinzona in 2006. Two years later, he switched to Grasshoppers. In 2010, he was transferred to Young Boys. The following year, he moved to Lazio, where he ended up staying until his retirement in 2021.
Lulić made his senior international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2008, earning over 50 caps until 2017. He represented the nation at their first major championship, the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Club career
Early career Because of the outbreak of the Bosnian War, Lulić's family fled from his native Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to Switzerland, where he started playing football at a local club, Chur 97, whose youth setup he joined in 1998. He made his professional debut in 2003 at the age of 17.
In the summer of 2006, Lulić switched to Bellinzona.
In May 2008, he signed with Grasshopper.
In May 2010, he moved to Young Boys.
Lazio
In June 2011, Lulić was transferred to Italian outfit Lazio for an undisclosed fee. He made his official debut for the team in the UEFA Europa League play-offs against Rabotnički on 18 August. Three weeks later, he made his league debut against Milan. On 23 October, he scored his first goal for Lazio in a triumph over Bologna. He won his first trophy with the club on 26 May 2013, by beating city rivals Roma in the Coppa Italia final. Lulić scored the only goal of the game in the 71st minute.
He played his 100th match for the side against Legia Warsaw on 28 November.
In January 2016, he signed a new four-year contract with Lazio.
He appeared in his 200th game for the team on 16 October.
In July 2017, Lulić was named club captain. He won his first title as captain on 13 August, by triumphing over Juventus in the 2017 Supercoppa Italiana.
Lulić entered Lazio's top 10 appearance makers on 29 November 2018, as he played his 294th game for the club against Apollon Limassol.
He played his 300th game for the side and managed to score a goal on 26 December.
On 7 December 2019, he played his 343rd match for Lazio and overtook Aldo Puccinelli as club's 5th all-time appearance maker.
Lulić debuted in the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich on 23 February 2021.
He announced his retirement from football on 1 June 2022.
International career In May 2008, Lulić received his first senior call-up to Bosnia and Herzegovina, for a friendly game against Azerbaijan, and debuted in that game on 1 June.
On 7 June 2013, in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Latvia, Lulić scored his first senior international goal.
In June 2014, Lulić was named in Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, country's first major competition. He made his tournament debut in the opening group match against Argentina on 15 June.
With six assists, Lulić was the best assist provider in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying, together with Arkadiusz Milik and Vladimír Weiss.
He retired from international football on 29 December 2017.
Style of play During his career, Lulić was often deployed as a left midfielder, left winger or left wing-back. He was known for his great stamina and pace.
Personal life Lulić married his long-time girlfriend Sandra in May 2005. They have three children, a daughter and two sons.
Career statistics
Club +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBellinzona2006–07Swiss Challenge League30320–203432007–08Swiss Challenge League331051–224013Total631371–427416Grasshoppers2008–09Swiss Super League2634262–3672009–10Swiss Super League15320––173Total4166262–5310Young Boys2010–11Swiss Super League31620113–449Lazio2011–12Serie A2742090–3842012–13Serie A33151121–5032013–14Serie A3071050103772014–15Serie A25341––2942015–16Serie A3031080–3932016–17Serie A31340––3532017–18Serie A35341101105052018–19Serie A3544070–4642019–20Serie A2001050112712020–21Serie A1602020–200Total282282835823137134Career total417534367577354269
International +Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBosnia and Herzegovina2008102009002010402011110201270201381201480201581201650201752Total574
Scores and results list Bosnia and Herzegovina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lulić goal.
+List of international goals scored by Senad LulićNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition17 June 2013Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia261–05–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification26 September 2015Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina433–03–0UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying328 March 2017Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania532–02–1Friendly43 September 2017Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé, Portugal563–04–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours Lazio Coppa Italia: 2012–13, 2018–19 Supercoppa Italiana: 2017, 2019
References
External links