Mihailo Ristić (footballer)


Mihailo Ristić is a Serbian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder or left-back for French club Montpellier.

Club career

Red Star Belgrade

Born in Bijeljina, Ristić played with Partizan Donja Trnova and Rudar Ugljevik during his youth career, before he moved to Red Star Belgrade, in early 2013 thanks to a scouting search. He became one of the best players in Red Star's youth teams in shortly time, and was called to the first team under coach Ricardo Sá Pinto for the last league fixture of the 2012–13 season against Vojvodina. Although he did not make a deby on that match, he was on the bench during the game. After the end of his youth career, Ristić signed his first professional contract with Red Star Belgrade in July 2014. He made his Serbian SuperLiga debut for Red Star Belgrade on 9 August 2014, under coach Nenad Lalatović, when he replaced Vukan Savićević in the 82 minute in a 2-0 win against Radnički Niš. During the season, he was mostly used as a defensive midfielder. After Miodrag Božović became the first coach of the Red Star Belgrade, Ristić started 2015–16 season as a back-up player. He also changed several positions on the field, playing as a central and left midfielder or as a left-back in some occasions. At the beginning of 2016–17 season, Mihailo definitely changed his position, but he also chaned his jersey number and took 73. After Luis Ibáñez left the club, Ristić became the first choice as a left-back, which he justified making two assists in the 3rd fixture of the 2016–17 Serbian SuperLiga season against Mladost Lučani. On 14 September 2016, Ristić extended his contract with club until summer 2020.

Krasnodar

On 30 June 2017, Ristić signed a 5-year contract with the Russian Premier League side FC Krasnodar. The reported fee is believed to be around €2 million plus 20 percent of the future transfer. Ristić made his debut for new club in the first leg of third qualifying round for 2017–18 UEFA Europa League, in a 2–1 home victory over Lyngby Boldklub on 27 July 2017. On 17 August 2017, in the first leg match of the play-off round for 2017–18 UEFA Europa League Ristić scored from a long distance against his former club Red Star. However, neither the referee nor the linesman saw it as a goal, and play was continued. The final score was a 3–2 win for Krasnodar.

Sparta Prague

On 2 February 2018, he moved to the Czech club Sparta Prague at one-year loan deal with an option to purchase the contract.

Montpellier

On 12 January 2019, he joined French club Montpellier HSC.

International career

Ristić was a member of Serbia national under-19 football team between 2013 and 2014. During that period, Ristić played as a left-back in some matches. He was also called into U20 squad under coach Veljko Paunović in 2015, but he later missed FIFA U-20 World Cup because of tonsillectomy. Selector of Serbia national under-23 football team, Milan Rastavac invited him to squad for a revival match against Qatar in December 2015. Ristić was called, and made his debut for Serbia U21 team in a match against Andorra, played in March 2016. Coach Slavoljub Muslin invited Ristić for a friendly match of the Serbia national football team against Qatar in September 2016. Ristić made his international debut for the Serbia national football team in a friendly 3-0 loss to Qatar.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Club

Red Star Belgrade