Safet Susic

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sušić played as an attacking midfielder, often in a role of trequartista or fantasista (i.e. a creative playmaker) and rarely as a second striker for Sarajevo, Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star, and internationally for Yugoslavia. Later during his career, he was utilized more in a role of a deep-lying playmaker, both for club and national team. In 2010, France Football voted Sušić as Paris Saint-Germain's best player of all time and the best foreign player of Ligue 1 of all time, with his compatriot and friend who also had a spell with PSG, Vahid Halilhodžić, being voted seventh. As part of the UEFA Jubilee Awards in 2004, the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina chose Sušić as the nation's greatest ever player.

In Their Own Story

The defining moments of Sušić's PSG career are etched in French football history. The 1983 Coupe de France final against Nantes was a breakthrough; after contributing three goals in the semi-final drubbing of Tours, he scored the decisive goal in the 3–2 victory that lifted PSG's first major trophy. His influence peaked during the 1985–86 campaign, where his ten goals helped secure the club's maiden league title. Yet, it was his sheer playmaking genius that mesmerized fans. The 7–1 demolition of Bastia on 22 September 1984 remains a singular feat of individual brilliance, with Sušić setting up five goals in a single match. Even at age 36, he remained vital to the team's success before moving to Red Star for his final season in Ligue 2. His departure in 1992 marked the end of an era, but the legacy of his 85 goals and 95 assists ensured his name would forever be synonymous with PSG excellence.

Reader's Guide

In December 1982, Sušić joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he became a star on the European stage. During his first season with the club, Sušić helped PSG to win the 1982–83 Coupe de France, scoring three goals over two legs in the semi-final against Tours, and once in 3–2 victory over Nantes in the final. The same year, he was nominated for the Ballon d'Or. During the 1985–86 season, Sušić scored ten goals as the Parisiens won their first ever national league title. Overall, Sušić scored 85 goals and made a record 95 assists for PSG between 1982 and 1991. He is fifth in the club's all-time appearance list with 344 appearances, tied with Paul Le Guen. On 22 September 1984, in a 7–1 home drubbing of Bastia, he assisted on five of the side's goals. At 36, Sušić went to the second Paris-based club for a final year with Red Star. On 5 February 2010, France Football chose Sušić as the best player in the history of Paris Saint-Germain, ahead of players such as Carlos Bianchi, Mustapha Dahleb, Ronaldinho, George Weah, Joël Bats, Raí and Luis Fernández.

Did You Know?

• Sušić was top scorer of Yugoslavia in qualification for UEFA Euro 1984.
• He scored his only World Cup goal in the 1990 FIFA World Cup against the United Arab Emirates.
• Sušić won his only trophy as manager with Akhisarspor, the 2018 Turkish Super Cup.
• In 1979, he was honoured as the Yugoslav Footballer of the Year.