Zoran Tošić
A Serbian wing wizard famed for his mesmerizing dribbling and lethal free-kicks, becoming a cult hero at CSKA Moscow and for his national team.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Serbian footballer·Birthday: April 28·Millennials
Biography
Zoran Tošić's left foot was a weapon of delightful precision. Emerging from Serbia, his early promise as a tricky, direct winger with a knack for set pieces earned him a high-profile move to Manchester United. While his time at Old Trafford was brief, it was at CSKA Moscow where he truly crafted his legacy. Over nearly a decade in Russia, he became a fan favorite, his corkscrew runs and dead-ball expertise delivering crucial goals and assists in domestic and European competitions. For the Serbian national team, he was a constant and dangerous outlet across multiple campaigns. Tošić's career embodies the journey of a specialist—a player whose specific, crowd-pleasing skills, honed to a fine point, guaranteed him a long and respected tenure at the highest levels of European football.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Zoran was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Zoran Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Zoran's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won three Russian Premier League titles with CSKA Moscow (2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16).
- Lifted the Russian Cup on four occasions during his extended spell with CSKA Moscow.
- Scored a famous hat-trick for Serbia in a 6–1 victory over Wales during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.
- Made over 200 appearances for CSKA Moscow, cementing his status as a club legend.
- Represented Serbia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and multiple UEFA European Championship qualifying campaigns.
Did You Know?
He began his professional career at the Serbian club Proleter Zrenjanin.
Tošić is married to Serbian pop-folk singer Aleksandra Radović.
His nickname in Russia and among Serbian fans was 'Tosha'.
After leaving CSKA, he had short spells in China, Kazakhstan, and Slovenia before retiring.
“A free kick is a conversation between my left foot and the ball.”
