Zvjezdan Misimović was born on June 5, 1982, in Munich, West Germany. He is a former Bosnian professional footballer who played primarily as an attacking midfielder. He represented Bayern Munich, VfL Bochum, 1. FC Nürnberg, VfL Wolfsburg, Galatasaray, Dynamo Moscow, and Guizhou Renhe during his professional career. He won the 2008–09 German Bundesliga championship with Wolfsburg and recorded 20 assists during that season. In August 2010, he transferred to Galatasaray for a reported fee of €7 million. He also represented the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, including at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. After retiring from professional football in 2017, he worked in football administration and became president of FK Borac Banja Luka in June 2025.

Early Life and Family Background

Zvjezdan Misimović was born on June 5, 1982, in Munich, West Germany, to a family of Bosnian Serb origin. His family had settled in Germany during the period when workers from Yugoslavia were moving to Western European countries for employment.

He grew up in Munich and began playing football at a young age. His early involvement in local football clubs provided the foundation for his development as an attacking midfielder.

Before joining a professional club's youth system, he played for several amateur teams in the Munich area, including SV Nord Lerchenau, TSV Forstenried, and SV Gartenstadt Trudering.

Early Football Career and Bayern Munich

Zvjezdan Misimović joined the youth system of Bayern Munich in 2000. He developed through the club's reserve team, Bayern Munich II, while attempting to establish himself in the senior squad.

Between 2000 and 2004, he played regularly for Bayern Munich II in Germany's regional leagues. His performances included goals and assists from midfield, and he became a regular member of the reserve squad.

He made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern Munich in April 2003. However, opportunities in the first team were limited, and he made only three Bundesliga appearances for the senior side.

During this period, Bayern Munich's first team included established midfielders such as Michael Ballack, Mehmet Scholl, and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Misimović continued playing primarily for the reserve team.

In 2004, he left Bayern Munich to join VfL Bochum, where he received more opportunities to play regular first-team football.

VfL Bochum (2004–2007)

Zvjezdan Misimović transferred to VfL Bochum in July 2004. He joined the club as an attacking midfielder and gradually became a regular member of its starting lineup.

During the 2004–05 Bundesliga season, Bochum was relegated to the German second division. Misimović remained with the club and participated in its efforts to return to the top flight.

In the 2005–06 season, he played 31 league matches and scored 11 goals as Bochum won the 2. Bundesliga championship and secured promotion.

He continued playing for Bochum in the 2006–07 Bundesliga season, appearing in 30 league matches and scoring seven goals.

His performances attracted interest from other German clubs. In the summer of 2007, he transferred to 1. FC Nürnberg.

1. FC Nürnberg (2007–2008)

Zvjezdan Misimović joined 1. FC Nürnberg in July 2007. During the 2007–08 season, he became one of the team's principal attacking midfielders.

He played 28 Bundesliga matches and scored 10 goals, his highest league scoring total in a single Bundesliga season.

Despite his performances, Nürnberg finished the season in the relegation places and dropped into the 2. Bundesliga.

Misimović also played in the UEFA Cup during the season, gaining experience in European club competition.

Following Nürnberg's relegation, he moved to VfL Wolfsburg in July 2008 for a reported transfer fee of approximately €4 million.

VfL Wolfsburg and the 2008–09 Bundesliga Championship

Zvjezdan Misimović joined VfL Wolfsburg in 2008, when the club was managed by Felix Magath. He became the team's principal attacking midfielder, playing behind forwards Edin Džeko and Grafite.

During the 2008–09 season, Wolfsburg competed for the Bundesliga championship against clubs including Bayern Munich, Hamburger SV, and Hertha Berlin.

Misimović played in 33 Bundesliga matches, scored seven goals, and provided 20 assists according to the Bundesliga's historical assist records.

His passing and chance creation contributed to the goals scored by Edin Džeko and Grafite. Grafite finished the Bundesliga season with 28 goals, while Džeko scored 26.

Wolfsburg finished the 2008–09 Bundesliga season in first place, winning the German league championship for the first time in the club's history.

Misimović finished the season as the Bundesliga's leading assist provider. His 20-assist total was a league record at the time.

During the following 2009–10 season, he continued playing regularly for Wolfsburg, scoring 10 Bundesliga goals in 31 appearances.

He also represented the club in the UEFA Champions League during the 2009–10 season, playing against teams including Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, and Beşiktaş.

Transfer to Galatasaray (2010)

In August 2010, Zvjezdan Misimović transferred from VfL Wolfsburg to Turkish club Galatasaray.

The transfer was announced on August 31, 2010, shortly before the closing of the summer transfer window.

According to the financial information disclosed at the time, Galatasaray agreed to pay Wolfsburg a transfer fee of €7 million in installments.

Misimović signed a four-year contract with the Turkish club. The reported agreement provided an annual guaranteed payment of €2.1 million and a match appearance fee.

His arrival followed Wolfsburg's decision to sign Brazilian attacking midfielder Diego Ribas from Juventus.

At Galatasaray, Misimović joined a squad that included Arda Turan, Milan Baroš, Harry Kewell, and Lorik Cana. The club was initially managed by Frank Rijkaard during the 2010–11 season.

Galatasaray Career and Departure (2010–2011)

Zvjezdan Misimović made his Turkish Süper Lig debut during the 2010–11 season. However, he struggled to establish a regular place in the Galatasaray starting lineup.

Following the dismissal of Frank Rijkaard in October 2010, former Galatasaray footballer Gheorghe Hagi was appointed head coach.

On November 19, 2010, Hagi announced that Misimović had been excluded from the first-team squad. The coach attributed the decision to concerns over the player's approach to training, concentration, and tactical discipline.

Misimović's exclusion created uncertainty about his future at the club. He did not return to a regular first-team role.

According to recorded Süper Lig statistics, he made nine league appearances for Galatasaray and did not score a league goal.

On March 3, 2011, Galatasaray officially announced that his contract had been terminated by mutual agreement, subject to his transfer to Dynamo Moscow.

The club's announcement stated that Misimović waived outstanding contractual payments in exchange for an agreed settlement.

His departure ended his Galatasaray career approximately six months after his arrival in Turkey.

Dynamo Moscow (2011–2013)

Following his departure from Galatasaray, Zvjezdan Misimović joined Russian club Dynamo Moscow in March 2011.

He returned to regular competitive football and played in the Russian Premier League.

During the 2011–12 season, he made 35 league appearances and scored eight goals for Dynamo Moscow.

He remained at the club during the 2012–13 season but made fewer appearances as his role in the squad changed.

In early 2013, he left Dynamo Moscow to continue his career in China.

Football Career in China (2013–2016)

Zvjezdan Misimović joined Guizhou Renhe in 2013. The club competed in the Chinese Super League and was based in Guiyang at the time.

He played as an attacking midfielder and contributed goals and assists during his first seasons with the club.

In 2013, Guizhou Renhe won the Chinese FA Cup. The team defeated Guangzhou Evergrande in the final.

The club also won the Chinese FA Super Cup in 2014.

In 2016, the club relocated to Beijing and competed under the name Beijing Renhe. Misimović remained associated with the team during this period.

He concluded his professional playing career in early 2017.

International Career

Zvjezdan Misimović represented Yugoslavia at youth international level before choosing to play senior international football for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He appeared for Yugoslavia's under-18 and under-21 teams during the early stages of his career.

In 2004, he began representing the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.

Playing primarily as an attacking midfielder, he became a regular member of the national squad. He was also one of the team's vice-captains during his international career.

His teammates included Edin Džeko, Miralem Pjanić, Vedad Ibišević, Emir Spahić, and Asmir Begović.

Misimović was involved in the national team's qualification campaigns for the European Championship and FIFA World Cup.

During the qualification campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Bosnia and Herzegovina reached the European play-offs but was eliminated by Portugal.

2014 FIFA World Cup

Zvjezdan Misimović was a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad that qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

It was Bosnia and Herzegovina's first appearance at a FIFA World Cup as an independent country.

The team was managed by Safet Sušić and featured players including Edin Džeko, Miralem Pjanić, Vedad Ibišević, and Emir Spahić.

Bosnia and Herzegovina played its opening match against Argentina on June 15, 2014, losing 2–1. Misimović appeared in the starting lineup.

He also played against Nigeria on June 21, 2014, when Bosnia and Herzegovina lost 1–0.

The team defeated Iran 3–1 in its final group match on June 25, 2014, but did not advance to the knockout stage.

Misimović ended his principal international playing career after the tournament. He later participated in a farewell international match against Montenegro in May 2018.

The Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina records 85 senior international appearances and 26 goals for Misimović.

Football Administration Career

After retiring from professional football in 2017, Zvjezdan Misimović began working in football administration.

He joined the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an adviser in September 2017, working with the association's leadership on matters concerning the national team.

In January 2020, he became technical director of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.

He held the position until April 2024, when former international defender Emir Spahić was appointed to the role.

Following that appointment, Misimović continued working with the association as an adviser to its president, Vico Zeljković.

FK Borac Banja Luka

On December 27, 2024, Zvjezdan Misimović was appointed technical director of FK Borac Banja Luka, a football club based in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He was responsible for football operations and sporting development at the club.

On June 12, 2025, Misimović became president of FK Borac Banja Luka.

His appointment marked a transition from technical and advisory responsibilities to club leadership.

Personal Life

Zvjezdan Misimović was born in Germany to a family of Bosnian Serb background. He spent his childhood in Munich and developed his football career in the German club system.

He has children, including his son Luka Misimović, who has also pursued football and been associated with FK Borac Banja Luka.

Professional Football Career

2000–2004 - Bayern Munich II (Germany)
2002–2004 - Bayern Munich (Germany)
2004–2007 - VfL Bochum (Germany)
2007–2008 - 1. FC Nürnberg (Germany)
2008–2010 - VfL Wolfsburg (Germany)
2010–2011 - Galatasaray (Turkey)
2011–2013 - Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
2013–2016 - Guizhou Renhe / Beijing Renhe (China)

National Team Career

2000–2001 - Yugoslavia Under-18 National Team
2002 - FR Yugoslavia Under-21 National Team
2004–2014 - Bosnia and Herzegovina National Football Team
2018 - Bosnia and Herzegovina Farewell International Appearance

Club Honours

2002–03 - Bundesliga Championship, Bayern Munich
2002–03 - DFB-Pokal, Bayern Munich
2005–06 - 2. Bundesliga Championship, VfL Bochum
2008–09 - Bundesliga Championship, VfL Wolfsburg
2013 - Chinese FA Cup, Guizhou Renhe
2014 - Chinese FA Super Cup, Guizhou Renhe

Individual Achievements

2008–09 - Bundesliga Leading Assist Provider (20 Assists)
2008–09 - Member of the Bundesliga Championship-Winning VfL Wolfsburg Squad
2014 - Member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's First FIFA World Cup Squad

Football Administration Career

2017–2020 - Adviser, Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
2020–2024 - Technical Director, Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team
2024 - Strategic Adviser, Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
December 2024 – June 2025 - Technical Director, FK Borac Banja Luka
June 2025–Present - President, FK Borac Banja Luka

Source: Biyografiler.com