Mario Pasalic, born 9 February 1995 (age 31), is a Croatian centre-midfielder whose career has settled firmly around Atalanta. Earlier loan spells helped harden him into a useful, adaptable midfielder, but Bergamo is where the shape of his senior career became clear.
Atalanta has had the substantial part of him: 267 league appearances and 50 league goals across nine seasons. That return matters. Pasalic is not a luxury attacker masquerading as a midfielder, but he has given Atalanta a level of penalty-box contribution most central players do not. His strongest league season came in 2021-22, when he scored 13 times in 37 appearances.
He remains part of the Atalanta squad in 2026-27, with six appearances across all competitions, including four in Serie A and two in Conference League qualifiers. His current market value is around £11m, according to Transfermarkt.
Pasalic has also stayed involved with Croatia, featuring in World Cup and European qualifying football this season. His career is best understood as that of a midfielder who found his proper level and role at Atalanta, then kept adding goals from areas where many others merely recycle possession.
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