Key Takeaways
Dragan Džajić is a legendary Yugoslavian left winger from the 1960s and 1970s.
Renowned for his crossing, passing, pace, dribbling, and natural skills.
Awarded the Golden Player of Serbia and Montenegro for UEFA’s 2003 Jubilee Awards.
Dragan Džajić was one of the finest left wingers in football during the 1960's and 1970's era. The Yugoslavian is widely considered to be one of the greatest players to have come from his country. He was renowned for his excellent crossing ability, passing, pace, dribbling, and natural skills.
The biggest testament of his excellence was that he was selected as the Golden Player of Serbia and Montenegro by the Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro for UEFA'S 2003 Jubilee Awards. This accolade officially confirmed his status as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.
Let us now back at his magical football career.
Club career
A young unknown Džajić was discovered by Red Star Belgrade youth coach Miljan Miljanić, at a time when he was playing for his local club, FK Jedinstvo. Miljanić snatched Džajić from Jedinstvo and the youngster spent his next 2 years in Red Star Belgrade's youth setup.
His debut for the club came at just 17 years and 8 days of age, as first team coach Miša Pavić selected him in Red Star Belgrade's Yugoslav First League match against FK Budućnost Titograd on 8 June 1963. The match ended 0-0.
Džajić began his career as a left-back, but eventually became a left winger. He was instrumental in setting up numerous goals for teammate Vojin Lazarević. The Yugoslavian winger managed to win 5 Yugoslav First League titles and 4 Yugoslav Cups and a Mitropa Cup during his time with the club.
The biggest heartbreak for Džajić at club level was in the 190-71 season. Red Star Belgrade managed to reach the semis of the European Champion Clubs' Cup that season. They eventually destroyed their semi-final opponents Panathinaikos FC 4–1 in the first leg in Belgrade. However, Džajić was suspended for the second leg, and his absence was catastrophic. Red Star Belgrade went on to lose the second leg 3-0 and thus crashed out of the competition.
After 12 years at Red star Belgrade, Džajić joined French side SC Bastia for 2 years. He scored a commendable 31 goals in just 56 appearances for the club.
Džajić returned to Red star in 1977, where he spent one more year before calling it a time on his magical career.
International legacy
Džajić joined the Yugoslavia national team at age 18, making his debut on 17th June 1964 in a 2–1 defeat against Romania at the JNA Stadium in Belgrade. This was the beginning of a legendary run that saw him earn 85 caps (the most in the history of the Yugoslavia national team) and score 23 goals.
His highlight moment at the international stage came in the 1968 European Championship, which he ended as tournament top goal scorer with 2 goals. The Yugoslavian left winger had an unforgettable semi-final against England, where his 87th-minute lob over the goalkeeper Gordon Banks gave Yugoslavia a 1–0 victory against the defending world champions. This heroic feat also saw the British press label him as "the magic Dragan"
Džajić scored in the final as well against Italy, but a 1-1 draw resulted in a replay being played 2 days later. Yugoslavia went on to lose that game 2-0 to Italy. Thus Džajić and his men had their European dreams shattered.
The Magic Dragan participated in the 1974 FIFA World Cup as well with Yugoslavia, but they got knocked out in the second stage of the competition.
He retired from international football in 1979, a year after his club football departure. Džajić left The Beautiful Game as one of the finest players to have come from his country.
Why is Dragan Džajić considered one of the greatest Yugoslavian footballers?
Dragan Džajić is celebrated for his exceptional skills and contributions to football, including winning numerous titles with Red Star Belgrade, his top-scoring performance in the 1968 European Championship, and being honored as the Golden Player of Serbia and Montenegro.
