Marcel Ratnik
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Marcel Ratnik (born 23 December 2003) is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays as a defender for UAE Pro League club Al Ain and the Slovenia national team.
Club career
Olimpija Ljubljana
Ratnik started his senior career with Olimpija Ljubljana, playing in the Slovenian PrvaLiga, the top tier of Slovenian football. He signed his first contract with Olimpija in March 2021, valid until 2023. He had to wait until July of that year to make his debut for the club, starting in a 1–1 draw against Radomlje. Ratnik would go on to make eleven more starts that season for a total of 17 league appearances alongside one appearance in the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round against Portuguese club Santa Clara. During the season, he signed another new contract with Olimpija, this time until June 2025.
The next season, at the age of 18, Ratnik established himself as a starter and crucial player for Olimpija. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 home win against Bravo in July 2022. Over the course of the season, Ratnik played a crucial role in his side lifting the league trophy in convincing fashion, making 31 appearances in the league campaign, as well as winning the Slovenian Cup to complete the double.
Ratnik played 49 times the following season, scoring 5 times, a career best. He made 34 appearances in the PrvaLiga and 14 appearances in European competitions, helping Olimpija to their first ever European group stage appearance.
In December 2024, Ratnik became the youngest ever player in Olimpija's history to reach 100 appearances in the Slovenian top division, at the age of 20 years and 350 days. He made 43 appearances in all competitions for Olimpija that season and, as captain, led the club to the league title.
Al Ain
In June 2025, Ratnik joined UAE Pro League team Al Ain on a four-year contract for an alleged transfer fee of €2.2 million.
International career
Ratnik represented Slovenia at all youth international levels from under-15 to under-21.
He made his debut for the senior Slovenia national team on 20 January 2024 in a friendly against the United States.
Style of play
Ratnik can play as a full-back, but is predominantly a centre-back. He is known for his confidence with the ball at his feet, with Slovenian football portal Nogomania describing him as calm, sovereign, always alert and versatile. Due to the belief of Albert Riera, his coach during the 2022–23 season, that a player must be able to play in three different positions, Ratnik even played on the wing for a game towards the end of the season against Maribor.
Career statistics
Club
As of 29 May 2025
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Olimpija Ljubljana | 2021–22 | Slovenian PrvaLiga | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | 31 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 1 | ||
| 2023–24 | 34 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 49 | 5 | ||
| 2024–25 | 28 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 43 | 2 | ||
| Total | 110 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 148 | 8 | ||
| Career total | 110 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 148 | 8 |
International
As of match played 31 March 2026
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovenia | 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 0 |
Honours
Olimpija Ljubljana