Igor Matanović (born 31 March 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for club SC Freiburg. Born in Germany, he plays for the Croatia national team.
Club career FC St. Pauli Matanović played for the youth team of Harburger TB until 2010, when he moved to FC St. Pauli's youth academy. He made his professional debut for St. Pauli's senior team in the 2. Bundesliga on 27 November 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute for Rico Benatelli against VfL Osnabrück. The home match finished as a 1–0 loss.
Eintracht Frankfurt On 30 August 2021, he signed a five-year contract for Eintracht Frankfurt; on the same day he returned to FC St. Pauli on loan.
Karlsrusher SC (loan) On 17 August 2023, Matanović moved to Karlsruher SC in 2. Bundesliga on loan.
SC Freiburg On 9 July 2025, Matanović joined SC Freiburg.
International career In April 2022, he declared his intention to represent Croatia internationally at the senior level.
Matanović was called up to the senior Croatia national team for the first time for the Nations League games against Portugal and Poland in September 2024. He debuted on 5 September 2024 against Portugal at Estádio da Luz. He substituted Martin Baturina in the 61st minute, Portugal won 2–1.
On 18 May 2026, Matanović was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by head coach Zlatko Dalić. His side was knocked out by Portugal after a 2–1 defeat in Toronto, where an equalizing 103rd-minute stoppage-time goal from Joško Gvardiol was disallowed as offside by VAR. The VAR used cutting-edge snickometer technology to detect Matanović's hair grazing the ball to rule the offiside in a controversial ruling.
Personal life
Matanović's family is from Kotor Varoš, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueDFB-PokalEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFC St. Pauli2020–212. Bundesliga17100—171Eintracht Frankfurt2021–22Bundesliga000000002024–25Bundesliga1612170252Total1612170252FC St. Pauli (loan)2021–222. Bundesliga18210—1922022–232. Bundesliga18020—200Total36230—392FC St. Pauli II (loan)2021–22Regionalliga Nord20——202022–23Regionalliga Nord10——10Total30——30Karlsruher SC (loan)2023–242. Bundesliga321400—3214SC Freiburg2025–26Bundesliga31114115350152026–27Bundesliga43122176Total3514531745721Career total1393210424417340
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCroatia202451202520202671Total142
Croatia's score listed first, score column indicates score after each Matanović goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Igor MatanovićNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition112 October 2024Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia1–12–12024–25 UEFA Nations League A226 March 2026Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States2–12–1Friendly
Honours SC Freiburg UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2025–26
References
External links