Jan Oblak
Who was Jan Oblak?
Slovenian goalkeeper who plays for Atlético Madrid and is widely regarded as one of the world's best shot-stoppers. He has won numerous individual awards and helped Atlético win La Liga while serving as Slovenia's national team captain.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Jan Oblak (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Jan Oblak, born on January 7, 1993, in Kranj, Slovenia, grew up to become one of Europe's most successful goalkeepers. He started his professional career with NK Olimpija in Slovenia, which led to his signing by Portuguese giants Benfica at 17. Although he spent much of his early time at Benfica on loan to different clubs in Portugal and Spain, he was part of the squad that won the domestic treble in the 2013–14 season, showing his skills and readiness to excel at the highest level.
Before Fame
Jan Oblak grew up in Kranj, a city in northwestern Slovenia, where he improved his goalkeeping skills in the country's youth football system. He trained with NK Olimpija in Ljubljana, one of Slovenia's top clubs, and quickly made a name for himself as a goalkeeper with great potential. His calm demeanor and technical skills caught the eye of scouts from Portugal, and Benfica signed him before he turned 18.
Key Achievements
- Won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy a record six times (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2025)
- Won La Liga with Atlético Madrid in the 2020–21 season
- Set an all-time La Liga record by conceding just 18 goals in the 2015–16 season
- Surpassed 500 appearances for Atlético Madrid
- Captained Slovenia at UEFA Euro 2024, the country's first major tournament in decades
Did You Know?
- 01.Oblak conceded only 18 goals during the entire 2015–16 La Liga season, setting an all-time record low for the competition.
- 02.He was purchased by Atlético Madrid in 2014 for €16 million, the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper in La Liga at that time.
- 03.Oblak has won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy a record six times, more than any other goalkeeper in the history of the award.
- 04.He was nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2017 and 2018, a rare distinction for a goalkeeper in an award historically dominated by outfield players.
- 05.Oblak has been named Slovenian Footballer of the Year nine times, making him the most honored player in the history of that award.