Aleksandar Mitrovic

Aleksandar Mitrović is a Serbian professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Al Rayyan in the Qatar Stars League and captains the Serbia national team. A powerful, aerial-minded forward, he has built a reputation as one of the most consistent goal-scorers in European football, with stints at Partizan, Anderlecht, Newcastle United, Fulham, and Al Hilal. He is Serbia's all-time leading scorer with 64 goals, and has represented his country at two World Cups and Euro 2024.

Mitrović's career is defined by his physical presence and clinical finishing. He has scored over 100 goals in English football, helped Fulham earn promotion to the Premier League, and won league titles in Serbia and Belgium. In 2023, he made a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, and in 2025 he joined Al Rayyan in Qatar. Known for his leadership and emotional style of play, he remains a central figure for both club and country as of 2026. [edit]

Born in Smederevo, a city on the Danube in central Serbia, Mitrović grew up in the turbulent years after the Yugoslav wars. His family moved to Belgrade when he was a child, and he joined Partizan's youth academy as a teenager. He made his professional debut for Partizan after a loan spell at Teleoptik, where he quickly impressed with his physicality and eye for goal.

In his first full season with Partizan, he helped the club win the Serbian SuperLiga in 2013, scoring 13 goals in 32 league appearances. That same year, he starred for Serbia's under-19 team, scoring four goals at the European Championship, including the winner in the final against France. UEFA named him the tournament's best player and listed him among the top 10 talents under 19 in Europe, putting him on the radar of major clubs across the continent. [edit]

Mitrović's breakthrough came in 2013 when he moved to Anderlecht for a club-record €5 million. He scored 44 goals in 90 games over two seasons, winning the Belgian Pro League in his first campaign and finishing as the league's top scorer in his second. His form earned him a £13 million move to Newcastle United in 2015, where he described the club as "my first love" in a later interview.

After struggling to establish himself at Newcastle, he was loaned to Fulham in 2018, then joined permanently. Over six seasons at Craven Cottage, he scored over 100 goals, helping the club win the Championship and reach the Premier League. In 2023, he moved to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he won the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League. In September 2025, he transferred to Al Rayyan in Qatar, and has continued to captain Serbia, playing in both of their matches in early 2026. [edit]

Mitrović is known for his imposing physical presence and his willingness to put his body on the line for the team. He is a target man who thrives on crosses and set pieces, but he also has a surprising turn of pace and a powerful shot. His style has earned him comparisons to old-school English strikers, and he is respected for his leadership on the pitch, often captaining his side.

Off the pitch, he is seen as a family man, but his passionate and sometimes volatile temperament has also made headlines. He has been involved in several on-pitch altercations, including a notable incident in 2022 when he was sent off for pushing a referee. Fans appreciate his honesty and his commitment, and he has a strong following on social media, where he shares updates and interacts with supporters. [edit]

Aleksandar Mitrović stands as the 11th most famous person from Serbia, a standing confirmed by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This position remains steady from the previous cycle, cementing his status not just as a club striker but as a national icon whose name carries weight far beyond the pitch. While he commands respect in football circles globally, his specific fame is deeply rooted in his homeland's identity.

The support base surrounding Mitrović has no formal name or structured fan club movement like those seen with pop stars. Instead, his audience is an organic extension of traditional football culture, ranging from the passionate crowds at Crvena Zvezda to the English supporters who still cherish his time at Newcastle United. Fans often describe their connection through emotional narratives rather than official campaigns; after his departure from Al Hilal, he publicly thanked a group that "welcomed me with smiles," reflecting a bond built on mutual appreciation rather than orchestrated marketing. There are no documented fan-funded projects, birthday billboards, or unique rituals exclusive to him beyond the general match-day fervor common to Serbian national team players. His legacy among supporters is defined by his record-breaking goal tally for Serbia and his emotional ties to clubs where he played, creating a following that values his on-field grit over off-stage spectacle.[edit]

Beyond his statistics, Mitrović carries deep personal symbols and habits that define his daily routine. He bears a tattoo of the Serbian eagle on his chest, a permanent mark of his national pride, and maintains a superstition about always stepping onto the pitch with his right foot first. In September 2024, concerns arose when he was held out of training due to arrhythmia, a heart condition that was later managed successfully. Fans affectionately call him "Mitro" and have come to expect his emotional celebrations, often kissing the badge and pointing to the sky after scoring. Off the field, he balances his athletic life with a passion for basketball, closely following the NBA and even participating in charity matches, while also being an avid video gamer who plays FIFA as himself.

His career lore includes several defining moments that fans still retell. Reaching 102 international caps to equal Sava Milošević's record marked a historic milestone for Serbian football, celebrated widely on social media. During his tenure at Al Hilal, his statistical output of 68 goals and 15 assists in 79 appearances became a talking point for his transfer to Al Rayyan. Perhaps most poignant is his enduring narrative with Newcastle United, where he recently described the spell as his "first love" and admitted lingering guilt over his departure, a sentiment that resonates deeply with English followers despite his move to the Middle East.[edit]

Mitrović is married to his wife, Jelena, who he has been with since his early days at Partizan. The couple have two children, a son named Luka and a daughter named Mila. He has spoken about the difficulty of being away from his family during his career abroad, but they have always supported him, often traveling to watch his matches.

His father, Dragan, was a factory worker, and his mother, Slavica, worked as a nurse. He credits them for instilling a strong work ethic in him. His younger brother, Nikola, is a semi-professional footballer who plays as a defender. [edit]

Mitrović has kept his personal life largely private, with no public relationships before his marriage. He is married to Jelena, a Serbian woman he met in his early career. They tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2018, and have two children together. The family has lived in various countries due to his football career, but they maintain a home in Belgrade.

As of 2026, Mitrović remains married to Jelena, and there are no reports of any separation or infidelity. He often posts pictures of his family on social media, though he is careful to shield their faces. He has mentioned that his wife and kids are his biggest support system, and he tries to spend as much time with them as possible during the off-season. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Aleksandar Mitrović's net worth at $20 million as of 2026, a figure derived from his extensive career in professional football. His financial growth accelerated significantly in 2023 when he secured a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, reportedly earning around £200,000 per week tax-free. This lucrative contract substantially boosted his earnings, and his subsequent transfer to Al Rayyan in 2025 ensured he maintained a high salary within the region. Beyond wages, Mitrović has accumulated substantial income from transfer fees alone, totaling over £50 million throughout his career. While he has engaged in sponsorship deals with major brands like Nike and Adidas over the years, he does not maintain a massive endorsement portfolio compared to some peers. The bulk of his wealth remains tied to his performance-based contracts and the strategic moves between top-tier leagues.[edit]

Mitrović has won several team and individual honours. He won the Serbian SuperLiga with Partizan in 2013, the Belgian Pro League with Anderlecht in 2014, and the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal in 2024. Individually, he was the Belgian Pro League top scorer in 2015, and was named the best player at the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. [edit]