Aleksandar Luković

Aleksandar Luković recorded 27 international caps for Serbia during a professional football career defined by a decade of defensive duty in the Serbian, Italian, and Russian top leagues. A former defender, he represented his nation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup before transitioning into a managerial role within the domestic Serbian league system later in his career.

Early Career and Red Star Belgrade

Born in 1982 in Kraljevo, Serbia, Luković began his professional journey at his hometown club, Sloga Kraljevo. By 2002, he moved to Red Star Belgrade, marking his initial stint with the club. During that same year, on 15 August, he made his debut in a UEFA Cup match against FC Kairat, appearing as a second-half substitute for Nemanja Vidić. His early tenure in Belgrade resulted in Serbian Cup titles in both 2002 and 2006, along with the Serbian SuperLiga championship in 2006.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

Italian and Russian Leagues

In 2006, Luković navigated a complex transfer path to Serie A, initially joining Ascoli on loan from Red Star Belgrade to facilitate a quota arrangement for Udinese. By January 2007, he moved to Udinese, making his league debut against Torino later that month. In 2010, he transitioned to Zenit Saint Petersburg on a four-year deal. He remained a regular starter for the Russian club until the tactical shift brought by the arrival of Domenico Criscito, which limited his playing time. During his Russian tenure, he secured two Russian Premier League titles and a Russian Super Cup.

International Service and Retirement

Luković earned his first international cap on 15 August 2005 against Poland. He became a fixture in the Serbian defense during the 2010 World Cup qualifying rounds, frequently partnering with Nemanja Vidić. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he played against Ghana and Australia, though he received a red card in the opening match against Ghana. In March 2011, at age 28, he retired from international play to focus on his commitments at Zenit. He concluded his national team career without scoring a goal.

Final Years and Management

Returning to Red Star Belgrade in December 2014, Luković signed a three-year contract. His second stint was interrupted by a severe injury sustained in February 2015 against Rubin Kazan, delaying his return until August. He won the 2015–16 Serbian SuperLiga title and earned a place in the Team of the Season before retiring in July 2017. Following his playing career, he entered management, serving as the head coach of Radnički 1923 from 8 August 2025 until his departure on 20 October 2025.