Matija Popović
Height: 193cm
Youth career: Vojvodina Novi Sad, FK Partizan (since 2021)
Current club: FK Partizan
Squad number: —
Current national team: Serbia U-17
Position: attacking midfielder, winger, second striker, striker
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification elite round (3/0), 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship (4/0)
Contract until: unknown
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Marko Arnautović
Strengths:
– technique 
– ball control
– first touch
– dribbling
– creativity
– link-up play
– athleticism
– versatility
– acceleration 
– finishing
– off-the-ball movement
To improve:
– quite prolific but still has a margin to improve his aggression and determination in the penalty area
Style of play:
– false 9/shadow striker
– offensive allrounder capable of playing in various positions, roles, and tactical systems
– tall player with very good body mass ratio, physical strength, and natural fitness
– creative player with excellent technique on the ball, mobility, acceleration skills, fast direction shifts, short-dribbling, and good short-mid through passing ability
– superb elegance and footwork on the ball
– excellent pace and acceleration skills over the first meters for a player of his size
– likes to dribble
– likes to play in a free attacking role, where he is granted the freedom to roam the pitch and find space
– likes to drift onto the wings
– often loses his markers with a superb first touch control
– extremely skillful and intelligent player, who is able to make the difference at any time with his dribbling skills and ability to play the final ball
– his physical power and intellect let him to play fruitfully with his back to the goal and act as a high-quality target man
– spectacular dribbler with futsal-esque close control, who is able to make effective solo runs to beat the defensive line
– has the technique, vision, ability, and confidence to execute killer passes, and set up goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates
– able to dribble and make quick combinations with his teammates at top speed
– displays a natural technique to take fast decisions in tight spaces/under pressure
– decent shot power from mid and long-range
– significant composure, football IQ, and unselfishness in the final third
– excellent ability at first touch/high speed in 1-2 combinations style of play
– counter-attacking threat thanks to his pace, acceleration, and movement
– operates comfortably with his weaker left foot
– large and physically strong player who knows how to use his body to gain advantage
– his heading ability is still improvable but he wins many aerial duels thanks to his size and strength
– good defensive contribution and activity in pressing
Popović leaves his opponenent on the ground with a superb feint and provides an assist with a brilliant pass.
Popović scores with a smart finish after a very good run through the wing.
Popović gets past his opponent with ease after a good run, enters the penalty area, and provides an assist with a superb pass with his weaker foot.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Second striker in 4-4-2.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 31 May 2023):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Matija Popović is considered to be one of the most talented U17s in the Balkans. He is a player of the famous FK Partizan youth academy. He’s one of the leaders of a very interesting generation of Serbian players born in 2006 which includes, among others Viktor Džodić, Nikola Simić, Andrej Petrović, Veljko Vukojević, Andrej Subotić, Uroš Sremčević, and Nikša Delibašić. In May 2023, Matija represented his country and was one of Serbia’s leaders at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where young Оrlovi made it to the quarter-final, but lost to the revelation of the tournament Poland.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
Links: