Milan Derby
Olympic gold medalist and second-highest scorer in Yugoslavia's history.
Milan Galić was a Yugoslav and Serbian professional footballer who played as a striker. He was part of the Yugoslav squad that won gold at the 1960 Summer Olympics. During his active career, Galić played for four clubs, namely Proleter Zrenjanin, Partizan, Standard Liège and Reims. He also represented Yugoslavia internationally, earning 51 caps and scoring 37 goals, being the second-highest scorer in the history of the national team, only behind Stjepan Bobek with 38.
- Character
- Milan Galić
- Role
- Striker
- Affiliation
- Yugoslavia national team, Partizan, Standard Liège, Reims
- First appears
- 31 May 1959 (international debut)
- Status
- Deceased (13 September 2014)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
At the 1960 Summer Olympics, Galić was the tournament's top scorer with seven goals, including the opening goal in the final, a 3–1 victory over Denmark. Earlier that same year, he was a member of the team that finished as runner-up in the 1960 European Nations' Cup, where he was joint-top scorer with two goals and scored the first goal ever in the UEFA Euro tournament. Galić also represented Yugoslavia at the 1962 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals as the team finished in fourth place.
In Their Own Story
In the 1960 Olympic final in Rome, Galić struck first against Denmark, putting Yugoslavia ahead in what became a 3–1 win for the gold medal. That goal capped a tournament where he scored seven times, more than any other player. Just months earlier, he had already made history by scoring the very first goal in UEFA European Championship history during the 1960 European Nations' Cup. His international career spanned from his debut on 31 May 1959—where he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win over Bulgaria—to his final appearance in an October 1965 World Cup qualifier away against France.
Reader's Guide
Galić's Olympic gold came in 1960, the same year he was joint-top scorer at the European Nations' Cup. He scored seven goals in the Olympic tournament, including the opener in the final. At the 1962 World Cup, he added three more goals as Yugoslavia placed fourth. His 37 goals in 51 caps for Yugoslavia made him the second-highest scorer in the national team's history, behind only Stjepan Bobek with 38. After his playing career, Galić was employed at the Football Association of Yugoslavia.
Did You Know?
- Galić scored the first goal ever in UEFA European Championship history, during the 1960 European Nations' Cup.
- He was the top scorer at the 1960 Summer Olympics with seven goals, including the opening goal in the gold medal match.
- Galić is the second-highest scorer in Yugoslavia's history with 37 goals in 51 caps, behind only Stjepan Bobek (38).
- He won the Yugoslav First League four times with Partizan (1961, 1962, 1963, 1965) and the Belgian First Division twice with Standard Liège (1969, 1970).
- Galić played in the 1966 European Cup final for Partizan, a 1–2 defeat to Real Madrid in Brussels.
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