Dejan Stanković

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Stanković was signed by Inter in January 2004 as part of a deal worth €4 million. He played his debut for Inter under head coach Alberto Zaccheroni in early February 2004, a Serie A clash at home against Siena that ended 4–0. On 21 February 2004, he scored a goal in the Derby della Madonnina versus Milan. He played his 100th match for Inter on 7 May 2006. He renewed his contract on 2 February 2007, securing his services until at least 2010. Under José Mourinho, Stanković remained with the club and became an irreplaceable part of the midfield. On 7 February 2009, he celebrated his 200th appearance for Inter in all competitions. He scored Inter's second goal against Milan in the 270th Milan Derby on 15 February 2009, which turned out to be the winning goal.

In Their Own Story

The 2009-10 season began well for Stanković. In the Milan derby on 29 August, he played in a deeper role to replace the injured Esteban Cambiasso. He scored Inter's fourth goal in a 4-0 thrashing, a spectacular 30-yard strike after collecting Sulley Muntari's pass. He subsequently scored against Rubin Kazan and Udinese to continue his rich vein of form under José Mourinho. He also scored a wonder goal from 54 metres out in a 5-0 thrashing against Genoa, volleying the ball straight in from Marco Amelia's clearance. At the end of the season, Stanković won an historical treble with Inter, conquering the 2009-10 Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League. Playing under new head coach Rafael Benítez, Stanković continued his usual midfield role. On 28 November 2010, he netted a hat-trick in an emphatic 5-2 victory against Parma at the San Siro. At the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in mid-December, Stanković played an excellent semi-final against Seongnam, scoring the opening goal. However, Benítez decided to bench him for the final.

Reader's Guide

Stanković is remembered as a versatile and hard-working midfielder who played a key role in Inter's successes during his tenure. His ability to score from distance and his work rate earned him the nickname 'Il Dragone' during his time at Lazio. At Inter, he adapted to various tactical systems under different coaches, including Mancini and Mourinho, and was a regular starter in the team that won multiple Serie A titles.

Did You Know?

• Stanković is the only player to have represented three different nations at FIFA World Cups: Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Serbia.
• He became the youngest-ever captain of Red Star Belgrade at age 19.
• Stanković scored a goal in the Derby della Madonnina on 21 February 2004, his second match for Inter.