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Kristijan Belić (Serbian Cyrillic: Кристијан Белић; born 25 March 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Tel Aviv. Born in Belgium, Belić represents the Serbia national team.
Belić was born in Sint-Truiden, where his father, Dušan, played for the club of the same name. He trained with the Serbian White Eagles Academy in Canada when his father was involved with the senior team from 2006 to 2007.[1] In his younger years, he played for OFK Beograd. and then spent four years in West Ham United's academy.
In the winter of 2024, he was transferred to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.[2] Belić made his debut In the 18th round of the Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar and PEC Zwolle played 2–2.[3] On 14 September 2024, Belić scored his first goal. AZ Alkmaar broke their record for the biggest win in the Eredivisie on Saturday when they beat SC Heerenveen 9–1 at the AFAS Stadion.[4]
Belić was called up to the senior Serbia national team for the first time for the Nations League games against Spain and Denmark in September 2024.[5] Belić debuted on 5 September 2024 against Spain at the Rajko Mitić Stadium. He substituted Andrija Živković in the 61st minute of a scoreless draw.[6]
In his younger years, Belić performed in attack and defense, while in the senior competition he made his mark as a midfielder. It is characterized by an aggressive playing style, often accompanied by sanctions in the form of cards. In the lineup of Partizan's coach, Gordan Petrić, he established himself as a bonus player from the 168th Eternal derby.
After the meeting with his former club, Čukarički, he was recognized in the media as the successor of Saša Zdjelar, and compared to Juca and Everton Luiz, also former Partizan players. Belić then scored a goal, and later caught up and stopped Samuel Owusu in an open counterattack, and due to his remarkable performance, he was selected as a player of the 15th round of the Serbian SuperLiga for the 2022–23 season.
Before the 169th Eternal derby, Igor Duljaj was appointed manager of Partizan. Belić received praise for his combativeness in the match and was rated by reporters as the most committed and dedicated Partizan player in their team's minimal defeat at the hands of Red Star Belgrade at Rajko Mitić Stadium. Belić exited the game in the 75th minute due to a head injury.
Belić is the son of former goalkeeper Dušan Belić.[7] His brother Luka is also a footballer.[7]
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