Mislav Oršić (foto: //)
Mislav Oršić's transfer from Dinamo to Southampton and then to Trabzonspor has been fraught with challenges, leading to injuries and form issues, putting his career at a crossroads.
Mislav Oršić was once a standout star for Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian national team, known for his brilliant performances and a stunning goal at the World Cup in Qatar that helped Croatia secure a bronze medal. However, his career has taken a difficult turn, leading to what might be the toughest period he has ever faced.
After transferring from Dinamo to Southampton in early 2023, Oršić experienced a significant dip in form. The latest blow came with an injury he sustained on Wednesday night.
Oršić moved to Trabzonspor last summer on the recommendation of Nenad Bjelica, but he suffered a severe injury shortly after arriving in Turkey. The recovery took several months, but he managed to play a few matches by the end of last season, and there were high hopes for his performance in the new season. Unfortunately, he was not called up for the European Championship, which must have been disappointing for him.
The season started promisingly for Oršić as he played in the second leg of the Europa League qualifiers against Ružomberok, where he provided an assist in the 2-0 victory. However, Trabzonspor's next challenge against Rapid Wien saw coach Abdullah Avci leave Oršić out of the squad. Turkish media reported that Avci was not satisfied with Oršić's consistency and instead registered Arseniy Batagov, a Ukrainian who joined Trabzonspor a few days ago.
Being left out of European competitions is undoubtedly tough for Oršić, suggesting he might become surplus to requirements at the club. A return to Dinamo, which was discussed last season, did not materialize, although it might have been the best option for him. Now, it appears the 31-year-old forward is facing new challenges in Turkey.
In the 2024/25 season, a new rule in Turkey will reduce the number of foreign players allowed in the domestic league from 14 to 12. With Batagov's arrival, Trabzonspor now has 15 foreign players, complicating Oršić's situation further.
A small Balkan contingent has formed at Trabzonspor over the summer, including the arrivals of Borna Barišić from Croatia and Stefan Savic from Montenegro, alongside Oršić and Edin Višća. Tonio Teklić returned from loan but, like Oršić, was not registered for the Europa League matches and might seek a new club again.
Oršić enjoyed his best moments at Dinamo, where fans revered him as a club legend. His hat-trick against Tottenham in the Europa League and a goal against Chelsea in the Champions League secured his status as a fan favorite. He left Dinamo for six million euros, but the question remains whether he will return. Dinamo fans would undoubtedly welcome him back with open arms.