Profile
A left-footed centre-back (84% CB, 16% LB) who progressed through Red Bull Salzburg's youth system before senior stints in Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and now the UAE. Won the Slovenian PrvaLiga and Slovenian Cup with Olimpija Ljubljana (2022–24). At 24 with 148 career apps, he offers a ball-playing defensive profile — 92% pass accuracy, 70% long-ball accuracy in limited 2025/26 minutes. Currently a squad player at Al-Nasr with limited minutes. Dual Austrian-Croatian citizenship.
T3 Status
0/16 T3 metrics validated. All physical, mobility, and micro-technical assessments are pending video scout review. Karamatic has no documented major injury history but has been largely confined to the bench at Al-Nasr (7 of 10 recent matches unused). T3 assessment should focus on aerial dominance at 187cm, left-footed distribution range, and acceleration profile for a modern ball-playing CB.
Empire FGA Verdict
PROXY FGA 6.3 — Tier 1 data from 148 career apps validates a steady, ball-playing centre-back profile. The 2025/26 season at Al-Nasr shows limited playing time (153 minutes, 3 apps) which significantly caps the score. Previous pedigree at Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenian champion) and TSV Hartberg (Austrian Bundesliga) provides a solid baseline. Left-footed CBs are tactically valuable. Primary risk factor: squad-player status and declining market value (peak €3.35M → €500K).
Karamatic's 2025–26 season at Al-Nasr has been limited to squad-player minutes — 153 minutes across 3 UAE Pro League appearances. His single start (vs Baniyas, 2 Jan 2026) produced a 7.7 FotMob rating and 1 assist. He has been an unused substitute in 7 of his last 10 matchday squads, indicating he is currently outside the first-choice XI under manager Slaviša Jokanović. Clean discipline (0 yellows, 0 reds) and strong passing metrics (92% accuracy, 70% long balls) are positives from his limited sample.
Technical
Mental
Physical
Tier 1 — Real Data Metrics
Tier 2 — Composite Scores
FGA Weighting Breakdown
Season Context
Al-Wasl (18 Oct '25): Unused sub
Al-Wahda (30 Oct '25): Unused sub
Shabab Al-Ahli (16 Nov '25): Unused sub
Al-Dhafra (21 Nov '25): Unused sub
Shabab Al-Ahli (29 Nov '25): Unused sub
Al-Ain (13 Dec '25): Unused sub (League Cup)
Al Bataeh (21 Dec '25): Subbed on 62' · 6.7
Al-Ain (28 Dec '25): Unused sub
Baniyas (2 Jan '26): Started 90' · Assist · 7.7
Sharjah (6 Jan '26): Unused sub
Proxy FGA Rating — 6.3 / 10 · Methodology
Top 10 Philosophy Fits
Tactical Archetype
"The Left-Footed Build-Up Specialist" — A modern ball-playing centre-back who uses his left foot to open passing angles and progress play from the back. His 92% pass accuracy and 70% long-ball completion (FotMob) validate his distribution quality. At 187cm he has the frame for aerial duels but has won only 33.3% of aerial contests in his limited sample. Comfortable stepping into midfield or covering at left-back. Best suited for systems that build from the back and value left-sided balance in defensive transitions.
Career Timeline
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USK Anif II | 2018 | Austrian Regionalliga | 12 | 1 |
| USK Anif | 2018–20 | Austrian Regionalliga | 17 | 0 |
| Osijek II | 2020–22 | First Football League (CRO) | 39 | 1 |
| Olimpija Ljubljana | 2022–24 | Slovenian PrvaLiga | 35 | 1 |
| TSV Hartberg | 2024–25 | Austrian Bundesliga | 23 | 0 |
| Al-Nasr SC | 2025–26 | UAE Pro League | 3 | 0 |
| Career Total (Club) | ~129 | 3 | ||
Honours
| Season | Club | Honour |
|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 | USK Anif | SFV Cup |
| 2022/23 | Olimpija Ljubljana | Slovenian Football Cup |
| 2022/23 | Olimpija Ljubljana | Slovenian PrvaLiga |
Physical Profile
Injury History
✓ Positive Filters
- Left-footed centre-back — Tactically valuable rarity. Opens left-sided build-up angles and natural back-three balance
- Elite passing metrics — 92% pass accuracy, 70% long-ball accuracy in limited sample. Genuine ball-playing profile
- Clean discipline — 0 yellows, 0 reds in 2025/26. Career-long clean record
- Slovenian champion pedigree — Won PrvaLiga and Cup with Olimpija Ljubljana (2022–24). Proven winner
- Red Bull Salzburg youth — Elite Austrian academy background. High-level youth development
- Versatile defensive profile — 84% CB, 16% LB. Can cover multiple positions in defensive line
- Age curve — 24 years old with 148 senior apps. Entering prime with development runway
- Multi-league experience — Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, UAE. Adaptable to different football cultures
- Contract security — Two-year deal until 2027. Stable club situation
- No injury history — No documented major layoffs. Durability validated
⚠ Caution Signals
- Severely limited minutes — Only 153 minutes in 2025/26 (3 apps, 1 start). Not in first-choice plans
- Declining market value — Peak €3.35M (2025) to €500K (2026). Sharp decline signals reduced perceived potential
- Aerial weakness — Only 33.3% aerial duels won in limited sample. Concerning for 187cm CB
- Low duel success — 33.3% overall duels won. Below average for position
- No top-5 league experience — Career in Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, UAE. Unproven at elite level
- No international caps — No Austria or Croatia senior appearances. No international validation
- Defensive action volume low — Only 2 tackles, 4 recoveries in 153 minutes. Limited defensive impact
- Match rhythm concern — 7 of 10 recent matches unused. Potential sharpness and confidence issues
✗ Critical Gaps
- All 16 T3 metrics pending — Zero validated video assessments; full scout review required
- Physical metrics unvalidated — Acceleration, sprint speed, agility, jumping all pending. Critical for CB evaluation
- Limited match footage — Only 3 appearances in 2025/26. Sparse video sample for assessment
- No video links provided — No timestamped match footage available for T3 validation
- Elite pressing untested — Modern systems demand high-line CBs with recovery pace. Unproven at required level
◆ Empire FGA Verdict
PROXY FGA 6.3 — HOLD with T3 validation required. Mateo Karamatic is a left-footed ball-playing centre-back with genuine distribution quality (92% pass accuracy) and a solid multi-league pedigree including a Slovenian championship. However, his 2025/26 season at Al-Nasr has been defined by the bench — 153 minutes across 3 apps with 7 unused substitute appearances in his last 10 matchday squads. His market value has collapsed from a €3.35M peak to €500K, reflecting reduced club trust and perceived ceiling. The aerial duel weakness (33.3% won) at 187cm is a red flag for a modern CB. Best suited for clubs in mid-tier European leagues seeking a left-footed build-up defender with experience and clean discipline. Not recommended for top-tier recruitment until T3 validates physical profile and aerial dominance. Provide video links for T3 validation.
Scout Assessment Notes
Physical Identity Card
CB-Specific Focus Areas
- → Aerial dominance & heading accuracy
- → 1v1 defending & recovery pace
- → Left-footed distribution range & accuracy
- → Positioning in high-line defensive block
- → Pressing intensity & duel success rate
- → Leadership & communication at back