Milan Škriniar
Who was Milan Škriniar?
Slovak center-back who captains the national team and plays for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He previously spent several successful seasons with Inter Milan, winning multiple Serie A titles.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Milan Škriniar (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Milan Škriniar was born on 11 February 1995 in Žiar nad Hronom, Slovakia. He started his professional football career with Žilina, one of Slovakia's top clubs, where he grew into a calm and skilled center-back. Early on, he gained more experience through a loan at ViOn Zlaté Moravce, which helped him improve his defensive skills and physical strength before he returned to secure a more permanent spot in senior football.
In 2016, Škriniar moved to Italian football, signing with Sampdoria in Serie A. Although he spent just one season at the Genoa-based club, his performances caught the eye of bigger clubs across Europe. His skills in reading the game, winning aerial battles, and starting attacks from deep made him a desired defender. Internazionale acted fast, signing him for the 2017–18 season, marking the next big step in his career.
At Inter Milan, Škriniar became one of Europe's most reliable defenders. He was a key part of Antonio Conte's defensive strategy and was crucial in the club's Serie A title win in the 2020–21 season, ending a ten-year wait for the Scudetto. He also won two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies with Inter. His consistent performances earned him the captain's armband, showing the respect he had within the team and club.
In 2023, Škriniar moved to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, joining one of Europe's richest and most prominent clubs. This was a new chapter, but his time in Paris was challenging due to injuries and competition for spots, which limited his impact. In 2025, he made another big move to Turkish club Fenerbahçe in the Süper Lig, aiming for a more significant role and regular playing time at a club with strong goals in Europe.
Internationally, Škriniar has been a vital part of the Slovakia national team for nearly a decade. He made his senior debut in May 2016 at 21 and was soon selected for UEFA Euro 2016. He has since played for Slovakia in three European Championships, including Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, and serves as the team's captain. His leadership and strong defense make him the most well-known Slovak footballer of his generation.
Before Fame
Milan Škriniar grew up in Žiar nad Hronom, an industrial town in central Slovakia. Football in Slovakia has a strong tradition of producing technically skilled players who often move abroad to compete at higher levels. Škriniar followed this path by joining Žilina's academy system. Žilina is known for developing talent, and it was there that Škriniar built the foundation of his professional game.
His loan move to ViOn Zlaté Moravce gave him important first-team experience at a crucial stage in his career. By the time he caught the attention of Italian clubs, he had already shown maturity beyond his years. Leaving Slovakia for Serie A at 21 was a well-thought-out decision, and his quick adjustment to Italian football proved he could compete at the highest level.
Key Achievements
- Serie A title winner with Inter Milan (2020–21)
- Two-time Coppa Italia winner with Inter Milan
- Two-time Supercoppa Italiana winner with Inter Milan
- Captain of the Slovakia national team across multiple UEFA European Championship tournaments
- Signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 as one of Europe's most prominent free-agent defenders
Did You Know?
- 01.Škriniar scored a late equalizer for Inter Milan in the 2019–20 Europa League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk, helping his side reach the final.
- 02.He was named in the Serie A Team of the Year on multiple occasions during his time at Inter Milan, a rare distinction for a defender from a smaller football nation.
- 03.Škriniar represented Slovakia at four different youth international levels — under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-21 — before earning his senior cap.
- 04.His transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 was completed on a free transfer after his contract with Inter Milan expired, making him one of the most high-profile free agents that summer.
- 05.He captained Slovakia at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, one of only three European Championship tournaments he has appeared in as a senior international.