Stipe Pletikosa (; born 8 January 1979) is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. As of 29 July 2021, he works at the Croatian Football Federation as the technical director of the national senior and under-21 teams.
Pletikosa began his professional career with Hajduk Split in Croatia, transferred to Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, then joined Spartak Moscow in 2007. After spending one season with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, he returned to Russia in 2011 with Rostov, then moved to Deportivo de La Coruña of La Liga in 2015, where he retired.
Pletikosa made his international debut for Croatia in 1999, and went on to represent the country in five major tournaments. He is the fourth-most capped player in the history of the Croatia national team after Luka Modrić, Darijo Srna and Ivan Perišić, having made 114 appearances. Pletikosa retired from international football following the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Playing career Club
On 31 August 2010, Pletikosa signed a season-long loan with Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League. In July 2011, he began a trial at Scottish Premier League club Celtic, playing in friendly matches against Cardiff City (away) and against Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers (home). On 6 August 2011, Pletikosa signed a two-year contract with Russian Premier League club Rostov. On 20 December 2015, he signed for La Liga club Deportivo de La Coruña on a six-month contract to replace the injured Fabricio Agosto Ramírez.
International
On 6 February 2013, Pletikosa played his 100th international match for Croatia, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 win against South Korea.
In the opening match of the 2014 World Cup, played on 12 June against hosts Brazil, a penalty was given against Croatia that resulted in a 11 draw. Pletikosa made contact with Neymar's spot kick, but could not prevent it from going in. Croatia eventually lost 31. On 17 July 2014, following the World Cup, Pletikosa announced his retirement from the national team.
Personal life Pletikosa is a practising Roman Catholic who was known to wear a T-shirt with a picture of the Virgin Mary under his uniform for good luck when he played.
Career statistics Club Source: ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHajduk Split1996–97Prva HNL1000—101997–98Prva HNL1000—101998–99Prva HNL19000—1901999–2000Prva HNL32030—3502000–01Prva HNL31120—3312001–02Prva HNL27060—3302002–03Prva HNL30342—345Total1624152—1776Shakhtar Donetsk2003–04Vyshcha Liha23060002902004–05Vyshcha Liha600000602006–07Vyshcha Liha30100040Total3207000390Hajduk Split (loan)2005–06Prva HNL210——210Spartak Moscow2007Russian Premier League2904020—3502008Russian Premier League3000080—3802009Russian Premier League4020——602010Russian Premier League000000—00Total6306010000790Tottenham Hotspur (loan)2010–11Premier League0000001010Rostov2011–12Russian Premier League23000—202502012–13Russian Premier League30030—203502013–14Russian Premier League27030——3002014–15Russian Premier League300002030350Total11006020701250Deportivo La Coruña2015–16La Liga20———20Career total3694120342804226
International Source:
CroatiaYearAppsGoals199930200050200170200210020031202004502005402006110200780200812020092020102020118020121002013100201450Total1140
See also List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
References
External links