Ivanović began his career with hometown clubFK Srem. In January 2004 he transferred totop division sideOFK Beograd. Two years later, he moved to Russia to play forLokomotiv Moscow in theRussian Premier League, where he would spend two seasons, winning his first honour, the 2007Russian Cup. In January 2008, Ivanović was signed byPremier League side Chelsea for a £12 million fee. He won nine major honours with Chelsea, including three Premier League titles, threeFA Cups, oneLeague Cup, theUEFA Champions League and theUEFA Europa League. Overall, he made 377 appearances and scored 34 goals, making him one of only five foreign players to appear in over 300 matches for the club and putting him behind onlyJohn Terry in terms of goals scored by a defender for Chelsea. Additionally, Ivanović was twice named in thePFA Team of the Year. He returned to Russia in February 2017, joining Zenit on a free transfer.
Ivanović was first capped for Serbia & Montenegro in June 2005, and has since become the nation's most capped player earning over 100 caps and scoring 13 goals. He represented the nation at their first international tournament as an independent country, the2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and was appointed captain of the national team in 2012. He was captain until just prior to the2018 FIFA World Cup where he also represented Serbia. In that competition he became the most capped player in the history of the Serbia national team, with 105 matches.[4]
Ivanović was born into a family with a sporting history, his father Rade played for local teamFK Srem as a defender. Ivanović played youth football for various teams in his home townSremska Mitrovica. Until the age of 15, he played as a striker, before switching to his current position in defence.[5]
Ivanović made his first football steps withFK Srem in 2002, following in his father's footsteps.[6] Here, he made his professional debut and his performances began to attract attention from Serbia's First League clubs.
In December 2003, Ivanović joinedOFK Beograd, in what was then theFirst League of Serbia and Montenegro. Brought in by the club's general managerZvezdan Terzić, the nineteen-year-old defender struggled initially, reportedly even drawing ire from his OFK team-mates due to static posture and clumsy defensive reactions.[7] Ivanović's physical abilities soon set him apart as he claimed the right back position in the team, squeezingIgor Radović out of the squad in the process.[7]
During his time with Belgrade, his team performed above expectations, even reaching the semi-finals of the2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup. After two years of playing in Serbia's top division, Ivanović began courting interest from clubs across Europe.
Coached by compatriotSlavoljub Muslin, the 22-year-old Ivanović made an immediate impact, cementing a place in the starting XI. He appeared in 28 league matches, scoring two goals. Ivanović contributed some outstanding performances to Lokomotiv'stitle challenge that ultimately fell short at the end of the season as head coach Muslin got fired and replaced byOleg Dolmatov.
In his second and finalseason at Loko, Ivanović—by now a key member of the squad led by the incoming head coachAnatoliy Byshovets—made 26 league appearances and scored three goals. Lokomotiv again fell short in the league but won theRussian Cup, defeatingFC Moscow 1–0 in the final at theLuzhniki Stadium.[9]
On 15 January 2008, EnglishPremier League sideChelsea confirmed that the club had agreed terms with Lokomotiv for Ivanović's transfer, subject to the agreement of personal terms and the passing of a medical, having beaten competition from the likes ofMilan,Ajax,Juventus andInternazionale for his signature.[10] Though the transfer fee was undisclosed, it was speculated to be in the £9 million range.[11] Lokomotiv later announced the transfer fee was €13 million (£9.7 million) and according to the club, the transfer was the largest in Russian football history.[12] Ivanović signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea the following day, where he was given the number 2 shirt last worn byGlen Johnson.[13]
Despite the substantial price tag, Ivanović did not make a first team appearance for Chelsea during the2007–08 Premier League season under managerAvram Grant. The reason given by the club was a lack of match fitness as a result of theRussian Premier League season's conclusion several months before his signing. Reportedly, Ivanović, who had not played competitive football in weeks, failed to impress in training, showing a lack of pace and fitness that was especially evident when matched up against club's forwards, even youth prospects such as 16-year-oldFrank Nouble.[14] By the end of the season, Ivanović made two appearances for theChelsea reserve side. Looking back on his initial six months at Chelsea, Ivanović stated it was the most difficult period of his career.[15]
Ivanović playing for Chelsea against Arsenal in 2008
Before the start of the2008–09 season, Ivanović was linked with a move away fromStamford Bridge, most notably toSerie A clubs Milan and Juventus.[16] He later admitted to being very close to leaving the club, citing advice and encouragement from teammateAndriy Shevchenko as one of the reasons for staying.[15]
Eight months after becoming a Chelsea player, Ivanović made his first appearance for the Chelsea's first team, getting a start at right back againstPortsmouth in theLeague Cup on 24 September and afterwards receiving approval for his man-to-manmarking and aerial play from newly arrived managerLuiz Felipe Scolari.[17] Ivanović soon went on to make his Premier League debut, starting againstAston Villa and playing the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge on 5 October, a match Chelsea won 2–0. Ivanović, however, was still far from securing a regular spot; he sat out the following five league matches, only receiving a single substitute appearance in the 85th minute away atHull City with the contest already decided at 0–3 when Scolari sent him on to replaceJosé Bosingwa. It would be Ivanović's starting performance at right back in League Cup against the second-tierChampionship sideBurnley on 12 November that convinced the Brazilian manager to give the Serb another look. This time, Ivanović got the chance at center back position instead ofAlex, starting four consecutive matches, including three league contests as well as hisChampions League debut away atBordeaux. It would be the performance at home versusArsenal on 30 November, however, that lowered Ivanović's stock in Scolari's eyes again; after being up at half-time, the Blues lost the contest 1–2 courtesy ofRobin van Persie's second half brace. The Serb was relegated back to the bench, recording only a couple more starts in late December and early January. He played a total of nine games in the first part of the 2008–09 season under Scolari's tenure.[citation needed]
Towards the end of the winter transfer window, Ivanović became a target of another Serie A club – this time it wasFiorentina. On 27 January, his agent Vlado Borozan confirmed ongoing negotiations with the club's sporting directorPantaleo Corvino,[18] however, on 1 February, Italian player agent Ernesto Bronzeti said Chelsea appeared unwilling to sell Ivanović and that he will likely remain in London,[19] which is what happened in the end.
Ivanović warming up before the Chelsea match in 2009
Chelsea were in a poor run of form, culminating with a 2–0 loss away atLiverpool followed by a goalless home draw versus lowly Hull City, all of which led to Luiz Felipe Scolari's removal on 9 February. New managerGuus Hiddink continued omitting Ivanović, who was by now completely out of the first-team picture. His first start under Hiddink finally came on 4 April away atNewcastle United, almost two months after the Dutchman's arrival at Stamford Bridge. It was the player's first league appearance in more than three months for the club, and it happened only days after he scored the winning goal for the Serbia national team in a2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier away atRomania. Despite playing very little competitive football over the previous months (his appearances restricted to national team and cup competitions with Chelsea), Ivanović responded with assured defensive displays.[citation needed]
He scored his first goal for Chelsea against Liverpool in the first leg of theChampions League quarter-final atAnfield. Later on in the contest, he went on to score a second goal, which like his first was a header off a corner. These two goals proved to be decisive, as Chelsea left Anfield leading 1–3 on aggregate, and would go on to win the tie by two goals with an aggregate score of 7–5.[20] Ivanović's two goals also earned him a regular starting place for the time being in Guus Hiddink's side, as well as making him an instant fan favourite among Chelsea supporters with the nickname Branislav "two goal' Ivanović announced before games.[21] Nonetheless, by the end of the season, Hiddink relegated Ivanović back to the bench afterChampions League semi-final first leg atBarcelona, meaning that he did not play in the second leg, and he also sat out theFA Cup final.[22]
Beginning the season under yet another new manager inCarlo Ancelotti, Ivanović's fourth in his first 18 months at Stamford Bridge, the Serb made his first start in theCommunity Shield against Premier League championsManchester United. He was substituted off at half-time for José Bosingwa with United leading 0–1 as Chelsea went on to overturn the result 2–1 before conceding an injury-time equaliser and eventually winning 4–1 on penalties.[23]
In mid-August, Ivanović made his first Premier League appearance of the season againstSunderland, which Chelsea won 3–1 through goals fromMichael Ballack,Frank Lampard andDeco.[24] In September, Ivanović made his first Champions League appearanceof the season againstPorto in the absence of Chelsea's first-choice right back, José Bosingwa. Ivanović scored the first goal of his Premier League career againstBolton Wanderers with a shot from inside the penalty area on 31 October. His goal was Chelsea's third in a 0–4 victory at theReebok Stadium. After his main competitor for a defensive spot, Bosingwa, went down with a season-ending knee injury in October, Ivanović became an automatic choice in the Chelsea defence.[citation needed]
Though much more settled into the Chelsea first team than in previous seasons, Ivanović continued to figure as a transfer target for various European teams, highlighting his recent form. On 22 December, a week before the opening of 2009–10 winter transfer window, he was placed on the cover ofMarca, the influential Spanish sports tabloid that maintains strong links toReal Madrid. The accompanying piece claimed that Real was after Ivanović as a replacement for their injured centre backPepe.[25]
As the season continued, so did Ivanović as a regular in the Chelsea first team. In the Champions Leaguesecond round first leg away atJosé Mourinho's Internazionale, the eventual winners of the competition, Ivanović ran a majority of the pitch before passing toSalomon Kalou, who scored Chelsea's equaliser. He was named in the 2009–10PFA Team of the Year in the right-back position.[26]
Ivanović withSalomon Kalou in action against Spartak Moscow in 2010.
Ivanović began the season at right back but eventually moved back to centre back due to injuries to his teammates Alex andJohn Terry and the return to fitness of first choice right back José Bosingwa. His first goal of the season scored in an away game againstBlackburn Rovers in thePremier League on 30 October 2010,[27] a late header that secured Chelsea 2–1 win. He then scored a brace in a 4–1 win in theChampions League againstSpartak Moscow on 4 November 2010, netted by a powerful header and a neat shot.[28] His second goal in the Premier League, or fourth in all competitions, came with a header during the 3–1 loss to Arsenal.[29]
Early in 2011, Ivanović scored his first goal of the year on 15 January 2011, in a 2–0 home win in a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge, with a shot from close range.
On 10 February 2011, Ivanović signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2016. After signing this new long-term deal, he said, "It is good news for me, it is a very big step for me in my career and I want to try to help Chelsea win a lot more trophies." He also added, "These things take a little time but my first vision was always to stay with Chelsea. There were not a lot of problems because I wanted to stay, the club wanted me to stay and I want to thank everyone who helped with the deal. I am very happy with that." He ended the season by being one of three nominations forChelsea Player of the Year, losing out in the end to goalkeeperPetr Čech.[citation needed]
Ivanović scored a headed goal in the 42nd minute of Chelsea's 5–0Champions League group stage win over Belgian clubRacing Genk at Stamford Bridge.[30] He assisted Frank Lampard from an outside-of-the-foot cross in the 50th minute against Blackburn Rovers. Chelsea won the game as it was the only goal of the match.[citation needed]
Ivanović scored the winning goal in the Champions League round of 16 on 14 March 2012 to complete the turn around against which was decisive extra time winner againstNapoli, which Chelsea won 4–1 and 5–4 on aggregate at Stamford Bridge.[31] On 31 March 2012, this markedRoberto Di Matteo's start at Chelsea with an important win. He then went on to help Chelsea overcomeBenfica in the quarter-finals and beat favourites Barcelona in the semi-finals, though he received a second yellow in the second leg and so missed the final againstBayern Munich due to suspension. Ivanović scored a double against Aston Villa in a 2–4 away win.[32] Ivanović scored again in the following game againstWigan Athletic in a 2–1 victory, with a controversial offside goal.[33]
He was once again one of three players nominated for the Chelsea Player of the Year Award after a personally successful season, but lost out toJuan Mata.[citation needed]
Ivanović played all of Chelsea's pre-season games and captained the side againstSeattle Sounders FC, leading the side to 4–2 victory.[34] On 12 August, Ivanović started theCommunity Shield match againstManchester City and wassent off for a two-footed tackle on City defenderAleksandar Kolarov.[35] He started Chelsea'sPremier League campaign by scoring an early goal against Wigan on 19 August, helping the Blues to a 2–0 opening round win.[36] He scored again off an assist fromEden Hazard, as Chelsea defeatedReading 4–2 on 22 August.[37] The Serbian then went on to score a goal as Chelsea defeatedNorwich City 4–1 on 6 October 2012.[38] He was sent off in a Premier League game against Manchester United after a professional foul onAshley Young, a game Chelsea lost 3–2. He scored his first everLeague Cup goal in 1–5 win overLeeds United on 19 December.[39] On 23 December 2012, Ivanović scored his fifth goal of the season in an 8–0 thrashing of Aston Villa.[40][41]
Ivanović again displayed his recent goal-poaching prowess and opened his goalscoring account for the calendar year on 5 January 2013, adding a third goal to the scoreline in a third roundFA Cup victory againstSouthampton.[42] This was also the Serb's first ever goal in the FA Cup. InPaolo Di Canio's debut as Sunderland manager on 7 April, Ivanović divertedDavid Luiz's long range shot past the outstretched arms of Black Cats goalkeeperSimon Mignolet, securing a 2–1 victory for Chelsea.[43]
In theEuropa League final on 15 May 2013, Ivanović headed in the winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to give Chelsea a 2–1 victory over Benfica.[44] The goal was the Serb's eighth of the campaign in all competitions, and first in the Europa League, and secured a second successive European title for the London club[45] and the 11th major trophy of theRoman Abramovich era.[46] The win also meant that for ten days, the Blues would hold both the Champions League and Europa League titles at the same time, until the final of the 2013Champions League final on 25 May.[47] Because of Ivanović's heroic performance at both ends of the pitch, the Serbian defender was named the Man of the Match.[48] Following the match, teammate Frank Lampard lauded Ivanović and described him as a "great man" and added, "You only have to look at him to see what a beast he is, he goes under the radar a bit because he just does his job, but what a player... He has been an absolute professional and he is a man you want on your side."[49]
Ivanović was subject to an oral assault by Liverpool strikerLuis Suárez in their Premier League fixture on 21 April 2013. The game ended in a 2–2 draw after Suárez scored a 97th-minute equaliser to salvage a draw.[50] Replays showed that as the two tussled for an incoming cross fromSteven Gerrard, which was deflected out byRyan Bertrand for a corner, Suárez dug his teeth into the right arm of Ivanović.[51] Suárez was found guilty of violent conduct and was handed a ten-match ban for the assault fromthe FA, but Ivanović did not press formal charges following the match.[52] He initially did not accept the apology from Suárez but afterwards the defender said he calmed down and accepted it.[53]
Ivanović became an integral part of newly appointed Chelsea manager José Mourinho's plans as he started almost all games, missing just one league game so far due to an injury he sustained in the 2–1 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. He made his first appearance of the season at Stamford Bridge on 18 August 2013, helping his side keep a clean sheet with a 2–0 defeat of Hull City.[54] He scored his first goal of the season three days later, heading in Chelsea's winning goal in a 2–1 league defeat of Aston Villa.[55] Ivanović scored the only goal of Chelsea's away victory over title rivals Manchester City on 3 February 2014, bringing the sides level on points through 24 league matches.[56]
Ivanović made his first appearance of the2014–15 season on 18 August 2014, scoring Chelsea's third goal in a 3–1 win over Burnley atTurf Moor.[57] On 30 August, he scored Chelsea's second goal, after just three minutes, in a 6–3 win overEverton atGoodison Park. Ivanović was sent off in added time on 26 October after a foul onÁngel Di María at Old Trafford in a Premier League game against Manchester United; ending in 1–1 tie directly from the resulting free kick from Di María.[58]
On 27 January 2015, he scored the winning goal, a header from aWillian free kick against Liverpool in the first half of extra time in the League Cup second leg semi-final to help Chelsea win 2–1 on aggregate and reach the final for the seventh time.[59] On 7 February, Ivanović scored Chelsea's winning goal of a 2–1 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park. On 17 February, he scored the team's away goal in a 1–1 draw withParis Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of theChampions League. Four days later, he scored the opening goal of a 1–1 draw with Burnley for his fourth goal in six matches.[60] On 1 March he started – and played the full 90 minutes – in the League Cup final againstTottenham Hotspur, helping his side to a 2–0 win for their first piece of silverware of the season.[61] On 26 April, Ivanović, along with five of his Chelsea teammates, were included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year,[62] and a week later the team won the league title.
At the beginning of the season, Ivanović was named as the club's new vice-captain.[63] On 2 August 2015, Ivanović made his first appearance of the season in 1–0 defeat of theFA Community Shield against London rivalsArsenal.[64] Ivanović scored his first goal of the season in the first game after the departure of manager José Mourinho, againstSunderland.[65] On 22 January 2016, Ivanović signed a new one-year contract extension with Chelsea.[66] On 27 February, he scored an 89th minute winning header in a 2–1 win over Southampton.[67] Ivanović made his 350th appearance for Chelsea in all competitions on 1 March against Norwich, becoming the fourth overseas player to do so.[68]
Throughout the season, duringJohn Terry's injuries, Ivanović stepped up to service as the team captain.[citation needed]
Although suffering a minor injury in the beginning of pre-season,[69] Ivanović returned during Chelsea's tour of the United States and continue to rotate throughout the games with young right backOla Aina.[70] Ivanović continued his role as the right-back in the 2–1 during the season opener againstWest Ham United.[71] However, preceding Chelsea's 3–0 defeat againstArsenal in September,[72] Ivanović was replaced byVictor Moses for the foreseeable future. This, therefore, forced managerAntonio Conte to switch to his favoured 3–4–3 formation in their 2–0 victory overHull City.[73] Ivanović went on to score his last goal in his final appearance for Chelsea in their 4–0 home victory againstChampionship sideBrentford in theFA Cup, driving a low, hard shot past goalkeeperDan Bentley.[74]
On 1 February 2017, Ivanović joined Russian sideZenit Saint Petersburg on a two-and-a-half-year deal after a successful nine-year spell with Chelsea.[75] On 16 February 2017, Ivanović made his Zenit debut in their 2–0 away defeat toAnderlecht in theEuropa League round of 32.[76]
In his 125 appearances for Zenit Ivanović not only established himself as a defensive bedrock but also scored 12 goals, captained the Russian team to back-to back championships in 2018–19 and 2019–20, and won the Russian Super Cup which he dropped and broke into pieces.[77]
Ivanovic appeared 13 times for the club in the Premier League, drawing criticism from some fans during a troublesome campaign in which the club were relegated to the EFL Championship.[80] On 27 May 2021, it was announced that Ivanović would leave the club following the conclusion of his contract.[81]
Ivanović's under-21 debut took place againstMacedonia inOhrid on 15 December 2003 in a match that Serbia and Montenegro ended up winning 4–1. He scored his first goal only two days later against the same opponent in a 7–0 rout.[82]
He took part in the2006 U-21 Championships in Portugal, where he made four appearances and scored one goal forSerbia and Montenegro. Ivanović was given the captain's armband during this time and continued to captain independent Serbia to the2007 U-21 Championships final where they lost to the host, the Netherlands.
In total, he featured in 38 matches for the under-21 team, scoring four goals.[83]
Ivanović scored his first international goal on 12 September 2007 in aUEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match againstPortugal in Lisbon; following aDejan Stanković in-swinging freekick, he scored with two minutes remaining to seal a 1–1 draw.[85]
Despite not having a regular spot at his club side Chelsea at the time,[84] Ivanović continued being the automatic starting choice for Serbia at the start ofqualification for the2010 World Cup under new head coachRadomir Antić, scoring three goals in nine matches as they reached the finals in South Africa.
On 28 February 2012, Ivanović scored on his first appearance as captain, a 2–0 friendly win overArmenia in Cyprus. UnderSiniša Mihajlović, he played as a centre-back during several friendly matches before returning to play as a right-back regularly. On 28 December 2013, Ivanović was namedSerbian Footballer of the Year becoming the third player to win the award twice (others includingNemanja Vidić and Dejan Stanković) and the first Serbian player ever to win it in consecutive years.[citation needed] Ivanović scored twice for the first time in an international on 7 June 2015, as Serbia defeatedAzerbaijan 4–1 in a friendly in Austria.[87]
In June 2018, he was included in the final 23-man squad for the2018 FIFA World Cup.[88] There he appeared on two matches, againstCosta Rica[89] andSwitzerland,[90] and he became the player with most appearances for the Serbian football team in its history, having played 105 matches.[4]
Early into his development as a footballer, Ivanović turned heads primarily for his physicality. Looking back on the beginning of the player's accomplished career, OFK Beograd's general managerZvezdan Terzić, who signed Ivanović at age nineteen from the lower-leagueFK Srem, stated: "I noticed him inSremska Mitrovica, witnessing physical dispositions no otherwhite footballer had. The way he jumped, the way he guarded the ball, his sheer physical power, his step, and initial speed, I had only seenblack players with such abilities before. He was a traditional healthypeasant child. He didn't have much footballing ability and awareness yet, but we gave him time and he eventually became a great player".[7]
Is he one of the club's [Chelsea] best signings? I think so. He came immediately after I left [after my first spell in charge] and after that he made a fantastic contribution for this club. He is a competitive animal with a big heart.
A tall, brave, and physical player, Ivanović is well known for his aerial ability, which when combined with his sheer strength, has seen him score numerous crucial goals during his career. Between 2008 and August 2014, Ivanović was directly involved in 60 goals during his time with Chelsea (31 goals and 29 assists). Uncharacteristically for a defender, he possesses an adept finishing ability, with former Chelsea manager José Mourinho often using the Serbian as astriker when the team are in desperate need of a goal. His unforgiving style of defending has led him to become a feared opponent in the Premier League, with Manchester City attackerRaheem Sterling claiming, "The scariest player to play against was Branislav Ivanović. He wasn't dirty, the guy is just a tank! A big guy, big upper body, big lower body. A real tank."[92][93][94]
Starting from the 2014–15 season, Ivanović has also pushed higher up the pitch from his customary right-back position, becoming an effective attacking threat on crosses and overlaps with his offensive positioning and runs up the flank or into the box. He has stated that this shift in technique also allows him to "pin back" opposing wingers into their own half, taking them out of position and turning their focus on defending rather than attacking.[92][95][96] A versatile defender, he is capable of playing anywhere across the back–line, and has often been used as a centre-back, in addition to his usual role as a right-back.[97][98] He is also known for his tackling ability and overall consistency as a player.[94] Despite his ability, he is also notorious for his lack of significant pace or technical ability, while he often favours making simpler passes to teammates with his distribution, although he is also capable of linking-up with teammates and getting up the flank to delivercrosses into the penalty area for teammates from the right wing.[92][94] Moreover, he is also known for his leadership qualities, having captained his nation, with former teammate John Terry describing him as a "legend" upon his departure from the club, and as an "[u]nbelievable defender for us over the years and a great and big character and presence in the dressing room." His former manager Mourinho instead dubbed him as a "fantastic character."[92][93][96]
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