Introduction
Marcel Sabitzer (born 17 March 1994) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and captains the Austria national team. Predominantly a central midfielder, Sabitzer can play in a multitude of roles, including attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, winger and second striker.
Sabitzer began his professional career in Austria with Admira Wacker and Rapid Wien. He joined German club RB Leipzig in 2014 and was immediately loaned to Red Bull Salzburg for a season. Sabitzer made more than 200 appearances for RB Leipzig, before Bayern Munich signed him in August 2021 for a reported transfer fee of €16 million.
Sabitzer represented Austria at multiple youth international levels and made his senior international debut at the age of 18 in June 2012. He has earned over 70 caps for Austria and played at the UEFA European Championship in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Club career
Early career
Sabitzer joined Admira Wacker's youth academy in July 2009, having previously played youth football for Admira Villach, Grazer AK, 1. Wiener Neustädter SC and Austria Wien.
In January 2013, Sabitzer joined Rapid Wien on a contract until the summer of 2016 for an undisclosed transfer fee.
RB Leipzig
2014–2016
On 30 May 2014, Sabitzer signed a four-year contract with RB Leipzig, and was loaned for FC Red Bull Salzburg for the 2014–15 season.
Sabitzer returned to RB Leipzig for the 2015–16 season, when he scored eight goals in 34 appearances. On 1 April 2016, Sabitzer extended his contract until 2021.
2016–2021
He finished the 2016–17 season with nine goals in 33 appearances. In the 2017–18 season, he scored five goals in 34 appearances.
In the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, Sabitzer scored his first two goals in the competition in back-to-back matches against Zenit Saint Petersburg. On 10 March 2020, he scored twice in a 3–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League round of 16, to help earn Leipzig a 4–0 aggregate victory and a place in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in club's history. Leipzig eventually lost 0–3 to Paris Saint-Germain in a semi finals match on 18 August, and were knocked out of the tournament. Sabitzer finished the 2019–20 campaign with 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
Bayern Munich
On 30 August 2021, Sabitzer signed a four-year contract with Bayern Munich for a reported transfer fee of €16 million. On 2 April 2022, he scored his first goal in a 4–1 away win over Freiburg.
Loan to Manchester United
On 1 February 2023, Sabitzer signed for Manchester United on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut three days later, coming on as a substitute in the 2022–23 Premier League win against Crystal Palace, making him the first Austrian to ever play for the club. On 26 February, Sabitzer played in the 2023 EFL Cup final, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 victory over Newcastle United. He scored his first goal for the club at the 2022–23 FA Cup quarter-finals against Fulham which ended 3–1 for United. On 13 April, Sabitzer scored a brace in 2–2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of 2022–23 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. On 15 May, Manchester United announced that Sabitzer was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a meniscal injury. On 30 June, Manchester United announced the departure of Sabitzer after the end of the loan deal.
Borussia Dortmund
On 24 July 2023, Sabitzer signed for Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal. On 12 August, he scored his first goal, in a 6–1 away win over Schott Mainz in the DFB-Pokal. On 16 April 2024, Sabitzer provided two assists and scored a goal in a 4–2 victory against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg, which qualified his club to the semifinals by winning 5–4 on aggregate for the first time since 2012–13. He was eventually named in the Team of the Season in that competition.
International career
Sabitzer played youth international football for Austria at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels.
He made his senior international debut for Austria at the age of 18 on 5 June 2012, in a goalless friendly against Romania.
He represented the national team at UEFA Euro 2016, UEFA Euro 2020, and UEFA Euro 2024.
On 25 June 2024, Sabitzer was awarded player of the match, scoring the decisive goal in a 3–2 victory over the Netherlands in the final group stage match of Euro 2024, ensuring his country finished at the top of their group.
Personal life
He is a son of former Austria international Herfried Sabitzer, and the cousin of footballer Thomas Sabitzer.
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 1 June 2024
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Admira WackerMödling | 2010–11 | First League | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | |||
| 2011–12 | Austrian Bundesliga | 20 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 21 | 5 | ||||
| 2012–13 | Austrian Bundesliga | 17 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 23 | 4 | |||
| Total | 45 | 11 | 3 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 52 | 11 | ||||
| Rapid Wien | 2012–13 | Austrian Bundesliga | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 17 | 3 | ||
| 2013–14 | Austrian Bundesliga | 29 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | 10 | 2 | — | 40 | 9 | |||
| Total | 45 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | 10 | 2 | — | 57 | 12 | ||||
| RB Leipzig | 2014–15 | 2. Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2015–16 | 2. Bundesliga | 32 | 8 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 8 | ||||
| 2016–17 | Bundesliga | 32 | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 33 | 9 | ||||
| 2017–18 | Bundesliga | 22 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 10 | 0 | — | 34 | 5 | |||
| 2018–19 | Bundesliga | 30 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | — | 43 | 5 | |||
| 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 32 | 9 | 3 | 3 | — | 9 | 4 | — | 44 | 16 | |||
| 2020–21 | Bundesliga | 27 | 8 | 5 | 1 | — | 7 | 0 | — | 39 | 9 | |||
| 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Total | 177 | 40 | 18 | 7 | — | 34 | 5 | — | 229 | 52 | ||||
| Red Bull Salzburg (loan) | 2014–15 | Austrian Bundesliga | 33 | 19 | 6 | 7 | — | 12 | 1 | — | 51 | 27 | ||
| Bayern Munich | 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | |
| 2022–23 | Bundesliga | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 1 | ||
| Total | 40 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 2 | |||
| Manchester United (loan) | 2022–23 | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | 18 | 3 | |
| Borussia Dortmund | 2023–24 | Bundesliga | 25 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 12 | 1 | — | 40 | 6 | ||
| Career total | 376 | 86 | 37 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 87 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 501 | 113 | ||
International
- As of match played 25 June 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 81 | 18 | |
- As of match played 25 June 2024
Scores and results list Austria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sabitzer goal
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 30 May 2014 | Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, Austria |  Iceland | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 2. | 3 June 2014 | Andrův stadion, Olomouc, Czech Republic |  Czech Republic | 1–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 3. | 9 October 2015 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro |  Montenegro | 3–2 | 3–2 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
| 4. | 9 October 2016 | Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia |  Serbia | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5. | 14 November 2017 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria |  Uruguay | 1–0 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 6. | 6 September 2019 | Stadion Wals-Siezenheim, Wals-Siezenheim, Austria |  Latvia | 2–0 | 6–0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |
| 7. | 10 October 2019 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria |  Israel | 3–1 | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |
| 8. | 4 September 2020 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway |  Norway | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2020–21 UEFA Nations League B |
| 9. | 9 October 2021 | Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands |  Faroe Islands | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 10. | 12 November 2021 | Wörthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria | Israel | 4–2 | 4–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11. | 24 March 2022 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales |  Wales | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 12. | 3 June 2022 | Gradski Vrt Stadium, Osijek, Croatia |  Croatia | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A |
| 13. | 24 March 2023 | Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria |  Azerbaijan | 1–0 | 4–1 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
| 14. | 3–0 | |||||
| 15. | 13 October 2023 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria |  Belgium | 2–3 | 2–3 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
| 16. | 16 October 2023 | Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan | Azerbaijan | 1–0 | 1–0 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
| 17. | 21 November 2023 | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria |  Germany | 1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 18. | 25 June 2024 | Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany |  Netherlands | 3–2 | 3–2 | UEFA Euro 2024 |
Honours
Admira Wacker Mödling
- Austrian First League: 2010-11
Red Bull Salzburg
- Austrian Bundesliga: 2014–15
- Austrian Cup: 2014–15
RB Leipzig
- DFB-Pokal runner-up: 2018–19, 2020–21
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 2021–22
- DFL-Supercup: 2022
Manchester United
- EFL Cup: 2022–23
- FA Cup runner-up: 2022–23
Borussia Dortmund
- UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2023–24
Individual
- Austrian Bundesliga top assist provider: 2014–15
- Austrian Footballer of the Year: 2017
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2019–20, 2023–24
- Bundesliga Goal of the Month: February 2021
- Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2019–20
- kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2019–20
- Austrian Cup top scorer: 7 Goals 2014–15
- UEFA Champions League Top assist provider: 2023–24