Biography of Nemanja Vidić: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Nemanja Vidić is a retired Serbian professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest center-backs of his generation. He had a highly successful career spanning over 15 years, during which he won numerous trophies at the club level and established himself as a key player for the Serbian national team.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore Nemanja Vidić’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a defensive icon in European football. We will look at his early life, how he rose to prominence playing for Red Star Belgrade, his tremendously successful stint at Manchester United, as well as his career with the Serbian national team.
Furthermore, we will analyze his playing style, key attributes, records, achievements, net worth and personal life. So let’s get started on this complete guide to the career of Nemanja Vidić!
Nemanja Vidić’s Early Life and Upbringing
Nemanja Vidić was born on 21 October 1981 in Užice, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia. His birth name is Nemanja Vidić but he is sometimes referred to by his nickname “Vida”.
He comes from very humble beginnings having grown up in a small village near Užice to father Zoran and mother Zorica. His father worked in a coffin workshop to make ends meet.
As a child, Vidić participated actively in various sports – he was on the school team for soccer, handball and athletics. But soccer gradually became his primary interest and focus.
At the age of 12, he joined his local team Jedinstvo Užice and trained there for several years before getting his big break at senior level.
Rise to Prominence at Red Star Belgrade
Vidić started his professional career in 2000 with Spartak Subotica in the Yugoslav First League. He spent three seasons there making over 40 league appearances.
His strong performances as a tall, athletic and aggressive center back caught the attention of Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade, who signed him in 2004. This would prove to be a turning point in his career.
Success at Red Star Belgrade
After impressing in his initial games for Red Star Belgrade, Vidić soon became an integral part of the starting eleven. Forming an outstanding defensive partnership with Mladen Krstajić, he helped the club win three consecutive league titles and cement their status as the top team in Serbia.
Some of his highlights from this successful spell include:
- Named club captain in 2005 and led the team admirably through his leadership and defensive skills.
- Voted Serbian Player of the Year for 2006 after guiding Red Star Belgrade to a double-winning campaign.
- Earned his first cap for the Serbian national team in 2002, going on to feature over 50 times and captain them on occasion.
Thanks largely to his accomplishments at club level, Vidić earned a dream move to England’s biggest club in 2006.
Immense Success and Trophy Haul at Manchester United
In January 2006, Manchester United announced that they had reached a deal with Red Star Belgrade to sign 24-year old Vidić for a £7 million transfer fee. This was seen as a bargain buy by United considering his commanding performances in Serbia.
He was brought in by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson to bolster their defense and formed a legendary partnership with Rio Ferdinand in the heart of United’s backline.
Becoming a Player in Multiple Title Wins
Vidić quickly adapted to the more intense and physical nature of the English Premier League. His first season saw him play a pivotal role as Manchester United regained the league title after a four year drought.
Over the next several campaigns, he established himself as one of the world’s top defenders and a cornerstone of Manchester United’s continued success:
- Formed arguably the greatest center-back partnership in Premier League history alongside Rio Ferdinand. Their contrasting styles perfectly complemented each other.
- His incredible strength, aggression, commitment and reading of the game made him exceptionally dominant in aerial duels and one-on-one defensive situations. Opposing strikers often found it impossible to get the better of him.
- Was named club captain in 2010 after Gary Neville’s retirement, leading them to another Premier League title in 2011 and their record 19th English top division triumph in 2013.
By the time he departed Old Trafford in 2014, Vidić had accomplished almost everything possible at club level including:
- 5 Premier League titles
- 3 League Cup triumphs
- 1 Champions League victory
- FIFA Club World Cup winner in 2008
He set the gold standard when it came to defending and will go down as a Manchester United and Premier League great.
Later Playing Career with Inter Milan and Statistics
After leaving Manchester United, Vidić signed for Inter Milan on a free transfer. Unfortunately, injuries took a toll on his time in Italy but he still helped them win the Coppa Italia in his final season before announcing his retirement in 2016.
Some noteworthy stats and records from his illustrious career:
- Made over 300 club appearances during his 8 year Man United stint, starting in nearly every one when fit.
- Was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year on 4 occasions – more than any other defender in the award’s history.
- Voted best defender in the Premier League in both 2008–09 and 2010–11 seasons by the league’s sponsors.
- Final appearance came in Inter Milan’s 1-0 Coppa Italia final victory in May 2016, giving him one last trophy before retirement.
Very few defenders can claim to have a resume as impressive as Vidić’s at both domestic and continental level. He will go down as an all-time great not just for Serbia and Man United, but European football as a whole considering his record of consistency and titles won across multiple leagues.
Playing Style, Strengths and Legacy as a Defender
In his prime, Vidić was the prototype imposing, no-nonsense center back that strikers feared coming up against. His unique blend of physical and mental attributes made him perfectly suited to this role.
Physicality and Dominance
Standing at 6 ft 2 inches, he used his stature and strength to dominate aerially and bully opposing forwards. His upper body power in particular allowed him to shrug off challengers and set the tone early on with tough tackles.
Aggression and Commitment Vidić played right on the edge, pressuring attackers relentlessly and putting his body on the line. His willingness to engage in battles all over the pitch was unmatched.
Positioning and Reading of the Game Excellent at organizing defensive lines and marshalling back fours, Vidić’s reading of danger and situations enabled him to rarely get caught out. He made crucial interceptions look effortless due to his positioning sense.
Concentration and Leadership Mental lapses were very rare – Vidić was able to maintain focus throughout 90 minutes and keep teammates accountable through sheer determination. This along with his vocal presence made him the complete defensive package.
Legacy at Manchester United and Influence
Thanks to the attributes discussed above, Vidić formed an almost telepathic understanding with Rio Ferdinand that has arguably never been matched in English football’s top flight.
His individual and partnership brilliance ensured Manchester United had the most miserly defense in the Premier League for many of his 8 seasons. This defensive stability allowed their vibrant attack to function freely and paved the way for a period of unprecedented success.
Several current top central defenders like Virgil van Dijk and Harry Maguire have cited Vidić’s ability to command boxes, win duels emphatically and lead defensive units as an inspiration for their own game.
His influence both on and off the pitch places him firmly among Manchester United’s greatest ever signings and the standard for elite defenders to aspire towards matching.
Net Worth, Endorsements and Post-Retirement
According to multiple reports, Nemanja Vidić has a estimated net worth in the range of $18 million as of 2023.
While exact details are unavailable, this is an educated figure based on his career earnings including:
- Annual salary during 8 year Manchester United stint reportedly over $5 million per year at its peak.
- Transfer fees received when signing for elite European clubs Red Star Belgrade, Manchester United and Inter Milan.
- Endorsement and sponsorship deals with brands like Adidas and Tennis Shoes SK.
Considering he was one of the highest paid defenders globally during the latter half of his playing career at a top English club, this net worth estimation seems accurate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nemanja Vidić deserves to be regarded as a defensive legend of the modern era and one of the greatest center-backs to have graced the game.
His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a key figure for both Manchester United and Serbia was defined by sheer resilience, defensive mastery and leadership excellence.
Vidić set unprecedented standards when it came to aerial prowess, organizational skills, concentration, aggression and athleticism specifically for a central defender. He dominated elite attackers for the majority of his career through a combination of physical power and tactical nous.
His record speaks for itself – over 10 major trophies, multiple individual accolades, captaining his national team and attaining icon status at one of the biggest football clubs on the planet. Vidić achieved sustained greatness over a long period of time which is an incredible feat.
As he enjoys retirement now, the eternal highlights reels of his no nonsense defending and trophy-laden Manchester United stint will ensure his defensive influence lives on.
Any modern defender looking to improve their game would do well to go back and observe how perfectly Nemanja Vidić mastered the art of central defence at the peak of his powers.
FAQs about Nemanja Vidić
What nationality is Nemanja Vidić?
Nemanja Vidić is from Serbia and represented the Serbian national team over 50 times, including featuring as their captain occasionally.
How many years did Vidić play for Manchester United?
Vidić played a total of 8 highly successful seasons for Manchester United from 2006 to 2014, making over 300 appearances and winning 5 Premier League titles among other major honors.
Why did Vidić leave Manchester United?
Vidić decided to leave Manchester United in July 2014 mainly due to injuries taking a toll on the latter part of his time there and wanting to experience playing in Serie A with Inter Milan for his final few seasons as a player before retiring.
What number was Vidić at Manchester United?
Throughout his Manchester United career, Nemanja Vidić wore the no. 15 shirt which became iconic along with his partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of their defense during a sustained period of dominance.
What makes Vidić such an all-time great defender?
Vidić is considered an all-time great due to defensive skills like his strength, aerial prowess, aggression, concentration and leadership which allowed him to virtually dominate games.
His individual brilliance along with being part of a formidable partnership makes him an iconic central defender.
