# Mato Neretljak

> Croatian footballer (born 1979)

**Wikidata**: [Q496071](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q496071)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mato_Neretljak)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mato-neretljak

## Summary
Mato Neretljak is a Croatian professional footballer and coach born on June 3, 1979. He is recognized for his career in association football, spanning both playing and coaching roles, contributing to the sport in Croatia since 1999.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 3, 1979  
- **Nationality**: Croatian  
- **Known for**: Professional football career as a player and coach  
- **Employer(s)**: Not specified in source material  
- **Field(s)**: Association football  

## Contributions
Mato Neretljak dedicated his career to association football, beginning his professional work in 1999. While specific team affiliations and achievements are not detailed in the source material, his dual role as a player and coach underscores his involvement in developing and participating in the sport. His transition to coaching highlights a commitment to fostering talent within Croatian football.

## FAQs
- **What is Mato Neretljak's profession?** He is a Croatian association football player and coach, active since 1999.  
- **Is Mato Neretljak known for any specific achievements?** The source material does not specify notable awards or milestones, focusing instead on his roles as a player and coach.  
- **What is Mato Neretljak's nationality?** He holds Croatian citizenship.  
- **When did Mato Neretljak start his career?** His professional work period began in 1999.  

## Why They Matter
Mato Neretljak’s significance lies in his sustained involvement in Croatian football, bridging playing and coaching roles. His career reflects the broader development of the sport in Croatia, particularly during the post-independence era. While specific achievements are not documented, his long-term participation underscores his role in maintaining and advancing football within his country.

## Notable For
- **Dual Career**: Active as both a professional footballer and coach.  
- **Career Span**: Professional engagement in football since 1999.  
- **Croatian Representation**: Contributed to the sport in Croatia across multiple roles.  

## Body
### Early Life and Career Beginnings  
Mato Neretljak was born on June 3, 1979, in Croatia. While details about his early life are not provided, his entry into professional football began in 1999, marking the start of a career that would span over two decades.  

### Professional Football Career  
Neretljak’s primary identity is as an association football player, with his work period officially starting in 1999. The source material does not specify the teams or leagues he played for, but his sustained involvement in the sport highlights his dedication. Croatian football during this era saw growth, including the country’s participation in international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.  

### Transition to Coaching  
In addition to his playing career, Neretljak is recognized as an association football coach. This dual role positions him as a contributor to both the competitive and developmental aspects of the sport in Croatia. Coaching in Croatian football often involves working with domestic clubs or youth programs, though specific details about Neretljak’s coaching engagements are not provided.  

### National Context  
As a Croatian national, Neretljak’s career aligns with the country’s sporting culture, which emphasizes football as a major national interest. Croatia’s admission to the European Union in 2013 and adoption of the euro in 2023 reflect broader societal shifts that may have influenced domestic sports infrastructure during his career.  

### Legacy  
While specific achievements or accolades are not documented, Neretljak’s long-term involvement in football—as both a player and coach—demonstrates his role in sustaining the sport’s presence in Croatia. His career trajectory, beginning in 1999, coincides with the post-independence development of Croatian football, which has produced notable international players and teams. Without explicit records of his contributions, his legacy is inferred through his enduring participation in the sport.  

### Limitations of Source Material  
The available data does not include information about Neretljak’s education, specific employers, or detailed achievements. This absence of granular details limits the scope of his documented impact but does not diminish his recognized roles within Croatian football.

## References

1. Transfermarkt
2. FBref
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013