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Celebration of Slovak players after match against Russia at UEFA EURO 2016 – By Zajano –

10 Best Football (Soccer) Players from Slovakia

Slovakia is a European country represented by the Slovakia national football team in men鈥檚 international football competition. The Slovak Football Association (SFZ), which oversees soccer in Slovakia, is in charge of the team. Currently, Slovakia ranks at position 51 in the FIFA ratings (as of 2022).

Slovakia is one of the world鈥檚 newest national football teams. This is after separating from the Czechoslovakia national team following the breakdown of the unitary state in 1993.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016, and UEFA Euro 2020 are the three main international competitions Slovakia has qualified for. Despite suffering two losses against Slovenia, Slovakia won their qualification group and earned a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the national team鈥檚 first appearance in a major football competition. This was after participating in every FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign since 1998 and every UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign since 1996.

Slovakia failed to qualify for World Cup 2022 after finishing 3^rd place in group H for qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup from November 20 to December 18.

Below is a list of the best Slovak soccer players.

10. Marek Rod谩k

Caps:16

Goals:0

Soccer/Football goalkeeper holding a ball by Phillip Kofler from

Rod谩k was born on 13 December 1996. He is a Slovak goalkeeper who competes for both the Slovakian national team and Premier League side Fulham.

In June 2018, Rod谩k was called up to the Slovakia senior team but didn’t play. When Slovakia U21s faced Iceland U21s in a key 2019 European Under-21 Championship qualification match, Rod谩k scored the game-winning goal in the 94th minute.

Rodak made his senior team debut against Israel on September 7, 2020, in a UEFA Nations League match that finished in a 1-1 tie. He continued to start in four more games in 2020, including two Euro 2020 playoff games.

9. Peter Pekar铆k

Caps:111

Goals:2

Peter Pekar铆k (back at the center, Jersey #2) celebrating a goal against Poland in Russia with teammates (In front is Merek Hamsik) – By Evgeny Vasiliev –

Pekar铆k was born on 30^th October 1986. He is a professional footballer from Slovakia who now plays right back for Bundesliga club Hertha BSC and the Slovakian national team. He previously played for Vfl Wolfsburg and Kayserispor (on loan).

On December 10, 2006, Pekar铆k made his national team debut for Slovakia against the United Arab Emirates. He scored his first goal for his country during a 7-0 victory over San Marino at home.

At the UEFA Euro 2016, UEFA Euro 2020, and the FIFA World Cup 2010, he represented Slovakia.

8. Stanislav Lobotka

Caps:41

Goals:3

Stanislav Lobotka with SCC Napoli in a UEFA Europa League game against FC Spartak Moscow – By Anton Zaitsev –

Lobotka was born on 25 November 1994. He is a Slovak professional football player who plays for both the Slovakian national team and Serie A club Napoli as a midfielder. He has also played for other big clubs before. These include: AS Tren膷铆n, Ajax (loan), Nordsj忙lland, and Celta Vigo.

On 1^st September 2017, Lobotka made his international competitive debut against Slovenia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. His performance helped Slovakia win 1-0 at home, and the media and the fans dubbed him “Man of the Match.鈥� Lobotka鈥檚 first international goal for the senior team came on September 4th, 2017.

7. Milan 艩kriniar

Caps:56

Goals:3

Slovak footballer Milan 艩kriniar in action with Inter Milan in summer 2018 – By Vyacheslav Evdokimov –

艩kriniar was born on 11 February 1995. He is a Slovak professional footballer who plays for Serie A team Inter Milan as a central defender. He is also the current captain of the Slovakia national team.

艩kriniar made his international debut in a friendly 3-1 win over Georgia on 27^th May 2016. In the 2018 World Cup qualification, he played as a defensive midfielder. J谩n Urica retired from international competition in November 2017, and 艩kriniar replaced him as a center-back. In June 2022, 艩kriniar was named the team’s captain after national team captain Marek Ham拧铆k announced his retirement from international competition.

6. R贸bert Bo啪en铆k

Caps:25

Goals:5

Bo啪en铆k was born on 18^th November 1999. He is a Slovak professional footballer who plays forward for Boavista in the Primeira Liga on loan from Feyenoord of the Eredivisie. He also plays for the Slovakia national team.

On June 7, 2019, Bo啪en铆k made his national team debut for Slovakia against Jordan in a friendly match. On September 9, 2019, Bo啪en铆k scored his first goal for his country against Hungary in a tough qualifying match.

5. Martin 艩krtel

Caps:104

Goals:6

Martin Skrtel in a Liverpool shirt – By CFCUnofficial (Chelsea Debs) –

艩krtel was born on 15^th December 1984. He is a former professional football player from Slovakia who last played for the Slovak Super Liga team Spartak Trnava as a center-back. He was also the Slovakian national team’s previous captain and a player. Skrtel spent eight-and-half years with Liverpool.

艩krtel made his international debut in 2004 for Slovakia. He had 104 total caps, making him the most capped player for his nation at the time of his retirement in 2019.

He was chosen for Slovakia’s 2010 FIFA World Cup team and played in every match of the tournament. Slovakia defeated Spain in UEFA Euro 2016 qualification, and as 艩krtel captain, Slovakia qualified for the final tournament in France. They however bowed out in the round of 16 after losing to Germany 3-0.

艩krtel announced his retirement from international football on February 22, 2019, at the age of 34.

4. Juraj Kucka

Caps:93

Goals:10

Kucka was born on 26 February 1987. He is a professional soccer player for Slovakia’s national team and Slovan Bratislava in the midfield position.

He has formerly played for several big clubs. These include; Genoa, AC Milan, Trabzonspor, Parma, and Watford.

In a friendly encounter against Liechtenstein on November 19, 2008, Kucka earned his senior international debut. Even though Kucka had not participated in any qualification games, Slovakia manager Vladimir Weiss selected him for the 2010 World Cup.

Kucka was selected for the Slovakia teams competing in the Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 competitions.

3. Szil谩rd N茅meth

Caps:58

Goals:22

N茅meth was born on 8^th August 1977. He is a retired professional football striker from Slovakia. With 22 goals in 58 games between 1997 and 2006, N茅meth was at the time the Slovakia national team’s all-time leading scorer.

On February 2, 1997, he made his professional debut in a 4-0 friendly victory over Belarus at the Stadion pod Zoborom in Nitra. In a 2-2 away tie against Costa Rica on February 5, 1997, he scored his first goal in his third cap.

N茅meth is Slovakia鈥檚 seventh most-capped player. Due to health issues, he opted to stop playing football.

2. R贸bert Vittek

Caps:81 matches.

Goals:23

R贸bert Vittek by User:Jarlhelm –

Vittek is a former forward for the Slovak national football team. He was born on 1^st April 1982. He made his international debut in 2001.

Vittek is the second-highest scorer in the history of the Slovakia national football team with 23 goals in 81 games. In the 1-1 draw with New Zealand on June 15, 2010, Vittek scored Slovakia’s first-ever World Cup goal.

Vittek also scored twice against Italy on June 24, 2010, to eliminate the reigning World Cup champions from the tournament. He only had one goal less than Thomas M眉ller of Germany, who took home the Golden Boot in the 2010 World Cup.

1. Marek Ham拧铆k

Caps:135

Goals:26

Marek Ham拧铆k, FC Barcelona vs SSC Napoli, 2014 by Cl茅ment Bucco-Lechat –

Ham拧铆k was born on 27^th July 1987. He is a Slovak professional football player who plays for Trabzonspor in the Super Lig. He formerly served as Slovakia’s national team captain.

Throughout his 12 seasons with Napoli, he made 521 appearances in all competitions and scored 121 goals for the club. He also held the position of club captain between 2014 and 2019.

On February 7, 2007, he made his international debut in a friendly match against Poland that finished in a 2-2 tie. When South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Ham拧铆k led his nation as captain.

Ham拧铆k is Slovakia鈥檚 all-time highest scorer with 26 goals. Ham拧铆k announced his retirement from international competition in May 2022, capping a total of 135 matches.