Dušan Maravić

Dušan Maravić (Serbian Cyrillic: Душaн Mapaвић; born March 7, 1939) is a Serbian former midfielder who played for SFR Yugoslavia.

Early life and playing career

Born in France, as his father were working in Injoux-Génissiat, a small village close to Swiss border. After the Second World War his family moved back to Yugoslavia, settling in Bajmok, a village close to Subotica. His first football steps were taken in local club Radnički Bajmok when Maravić was six years old, ten years later he joined the more famous Spartak Subotica. In 1958, aged 19 he became a member of Yugoslavian giants Red Star Belgrade. In six years with Red Star, Maravić appeared in 232 official matches, scoring 82 goals.

Attacking midfielder has also member of Yugoslavia national football team player in 7 occasiones, and scored 3 goals. Thanks to being member of gold Olympic medal squad, he was allowed to go abroad before national propositions limit of 28. Hence, he became a member of Racing Paris aged 25. He played for "The Penguins" until 1969 when he shortly moved to OFK Beograd, and then proceed to Venezuelan Deportivo Italia.

Post playing career

After retiring as a player, he has spent some time coaching and also working in national football union administration, which led him to become an employee of UEFA and FIFA as an international instructor and delegate. He was nominated to run for FIFA president.

Personal

He is fluent in: French, English, Spanish and Italian language. Simultaneously with his sporting career, Maravić has pursued studies, finishing University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics. He has sons Antoni and Alfredo, the latter works as a sports agent.