28 Facts About Goran Pandev

Goran Pandev was the captain of the North Macedonia national team until deciding to retire from international football in 2021, following UEFA Euro 2020.

Goran Pandev is the country's all-time top scorer with 38 goals.

Goran Pandev was born in Strumica, SR Macedonia, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time, and began his football career with FK Belasica, the club with which he progressed through the youth academy.

Goran Pandev only spent one season in the local Prva Liga before being signed by Serie A giants Inter Milan in the summer of 2001 when he was just 18 years old.

Inter loaned Goran Pandev to feeder club Spezia in July 2002, where he was a regular in Serie C1.

Goran Pandev impressed in his first year at Lazio, as he made 29 appearances, scoring three goals, which included a memorable effort away to Juventus where he beat Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta before beating Gianluigi Buffon with an angled shot.

On 11 January 2009, Goran Pandev scored his first hat-trick in Serie A against Reggina.

On 24 March 2009, Goran Pandev was awarded the Medal for Service to the Country by the then-President Branko Crvenkovski in acknowledgement of his sporting achievements and his contribution to developing and popularizing sport in Macedonia as well as promoting the country abroad.

The dispute started with Goran Pandev indicating his desire to leave Lazio during the summer of 2009.

Chairman Lotito, apparently unhappy with Goran Pandev's decision, froze him out of the squad.

Goran Pandev argued that by freezing him out of the squad, Lazio had violated the terms of their contract with him.

On 4 January 2010, Goran Pandev signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Milan, wearing the number 27 shirt.

Goran Pandev continued with his solid performances throughout the season, being an important player in Inter's winning of the first treble in the history of Italian football.

On 22 May 2010, Inter won the UEFA Champions League in the final against Bayern Munich, with Goran Pandev playing for 79 minutes and becoming the third Macedonian football player in history to ever win this championship.

Later in December 2010, Goran Pandev was part of the team that competed at 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

Inter progressed to the quarter-finals on away goals rule, with Goran Pandev describing his goal as the "most important" of his career.

On 26 August 2011, Goran Pandev joined Napoli on a season-long loan.

Goran Pandev scored two goals, the first of which was his first for Napoli, and the second a volleyed goal.

On 6 June 2012, Goran Pandev made a permanent switch from Inter to Napoli.

Later, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis noted on a radio interview that Goran Pandev had taken a pay cut to join the Neapolitans, with the President noting this as a sign of commitment to the club and fans.

On 28 September 2013, Goran Pandev scored both goals in Napoli's win over Genoa, sending the Neapolitans to the top of the league table.

Goran Pandev struggled for game time at Galatasaray and he was mainly used as a cup player.

Goran Pandev signed a two-year contract with Italian club Genoa in 2015 after failing to get playing time at Galatasaray.

Goran Pandev became the first Macedonian to reach the century mark in one of the "Big 5" European leagues.

On 13 August 2021, Goran Pandev signed a contract with Genoa to stay in Serie A until 30 June 2022.

Goran Pandev made his senior debut for Macedonia in a June 2001 FIFA World Cup qualification match away against Turkey.

Goran Pandev intended to retire from international football in 2015, but was persuaded to keep playing by national manager Igor Angelovski.

Goran Pandev was capable of playing in several offensive positions, either on the right or through the centre of the pitch, and was usually deployed in a supporting role, as a winger, as a second striker, or as an attacking midfielder, although he had been fielded as a striker or as a false nine.