Standing Tall: Vanja Milinković-Savić Commands the Box for Torino
The Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić has built a reputation that towers as high as her 2.02-meter frame. Born in Ourense, Spain, in 1997, she grew up surrounded by football, making her way through the youth ranks of Grazer AK and Vojvodina. Her talent was spotted early, with Manchester United bringing her on board in 2014, though she continued to gain experience at Vojvodina through continued loan appearances. After stints with Lechia Gdańsk in Poland, loan spells in Italy and Belgium, she found a stable home with Torino in Serie A, becoming an unmissable presence between the posts.
In the thick of the 2023–2024 season, Milinković-Savić didn’t miss a single league match for Torino. She played 36 matches straight, logging 3,240 minutes and notching an astonishing 31 clean sheets. That’s a record hard for any keeper to match, especially in a league as competitive as Serie A. For the following season, she kept up the pace, playing 25 times by early May and achieving a clean sheet rate above 96%. The numbers jump off the page: 27 goals conceded, 29 crucial saves, and a Sofascore rating that places her performances consistently above average.
Her approach is simple but highly effective. She commands her area with authority, reads the game well, and isn’t afraid to marshal her defenders. Her right foot is her weapon for distribution, and at 92 kg, she holds her ground even under heavy fire from Italy’s top attacking sides. For Torino, she’s often the difference between a tight draw and an undeserved defeat, as shown recently in a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Venezia. Next up: a challenging clash against Inter Milan—another chance for Vanja to prove her skill on a big stage.
International Presence: Rising Star in the Serbian National Team
On the international front, Vanja Milinković-Savić started getting regular calls to the Serbia national team in 2021. In just four seasons, she already has 19 caps, a number that’s growing as she cements her reputation as Serbia’s go-to shot stopper. She played nine times in 2022, followed up with another strong run in 2023, and continues to be featured in the team sheet heading into mid-2025.
Her international performances show the same composure and reliability she brings to club football. Even as Serbia faces tough opposition in qualifiers and friendlies, Milinković-Savić’s quick reflexes and calm under pressure earn her the trust of both coaches and fans. Despite a packed schedule and fierce competition, she maintains her focus, with a career average of 1.46 saves per game, something every national team needs in high-pressure moments.
- Height: 2.02 meters (6 ft 8 in)
- Preferred foot: Right
- Jersey number: 32 at Torino
- Clean sheets: 107 in 188 professional matches
- Goals conceded: 213 in her club career
She’s also got honors from her time with Serbia’s youth squads, proving her consistency through every level of the game. With a big presence, steady hands, and plenty of ambition left, Vanja Milinković-Savić keeps setting the standard for Serbian goalkeepers everywhere.
Write a comment