Marcel Sabitzer (born 17 March 1994) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Borussia Dortmund and the Austria national team. Predominantly a central midfielder, Sabitzer can play in a multitude of roles, including attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, winger and second striker.
Sabitzer began his professional career in Austria with Admira Wacker and Rapid Wien. He joined German club RB Leipzig in 2014 and was immediately loaned to Red Bull Salzburg for a season. Sabitzer made more than 200 appearances for RB Leipzig, before Bayern Munich signed him in August 2021 for a reported transfer fee of â¬16 million.
Sabitzer represented Austria at multiple youth international levels and made his senior international debut at the age of 18 in June 2012. He has earned over 90 caps for Austria and played at the UEFA European Championship in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Sabitzer joined Admira Wacker's youth academy in July 2009, having previously played youth football for Admira Villach, Grazer AK, 1. Wiener Neustädter SC and Austria Wien.
In January 2013, Sabitzer joined Rapid Wien on a contract until the summer of 2016 for an undisclosed transfer fee.
On 30 May 2014, Sabitzer signed a four-year contract with RB Leipzig, and was loaned for Red Bull Salzburg for the 2014âÂÂ15 season.
Sabitzer returned to RB Leipzig for the 2015âÂÂ16 season, when he scored eight goals in 34 appearances. On 1 April 2016, Sabitzer extended his contract until 2021.
He finished the 2016âÂÂ17 season with nine goals in 33 appearances. In the 2017âÂÂ18 season, he scored five goals in 34 appearances.
In the 2019âÂÂ20 UEFA Champions League, Sabitzer scored his first two goals in the competition in back-to-back matches against Zenit Saint Petersburg. On 10 March 2020, he scored twice in a 3âÂÂ0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League round of 16, to help earn Leipzig a 4âÂÂ0 aggregate victory and a place in the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in club's history. Leipzig eventually lost 0âÂÂ3 to Paris Saint-Germain in a semi finals match on 18 August, and were knocked out of the tournament. Sabitzer finished the 2019âÂÂ20 campaign with 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
On 30 August 2021, Sabitzer signed a four-year contract with Bayern Munich for a reported transfer fee of â¬16 million. On 2 April 2022, he scored his first goal in a 4âÂÂ1 away win over Freiburg.
On 1 February 2023, Sabitzer signed for Manchester United on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut three days later, coming on as a substitute in the 2022âÂÂ23 Premier League win against Crystal Palace, making him the first Austrian to ever play for the club. On 26 February, Sabitzer played in the 2023 EFL Cup final, coming on as a substitute in a 2âÂÂ0 victory over Newcastle United. He scored his first goal for the club at the 2022âÂÂ23 FA Cup quarter-finals against Fulham which ended 3âÂÂ1 for United. On 13 April, Sabitzer scored a brace in 2âÂÂ2 draw against Sevilla in the first leg of 2022âÂÂ23 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. On 15 May, Manchester United announced that Sabitzer was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a meniscal injury. On 30 June, Manchester United announced the departure of Sabitzer after the end of the loan deal.
On 24 July 2023, Sabitzer signed for Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal. On 12 August, he scored his first goal, in a 6âÂÂ1 away win over Schott Mainz in the DFB-Pokal. On 16 April 2024, Sabitzer provided two assists and scored a goal in a 4âÂÂ2 victory against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg, which qualified his club to the semifinals by winning 5âÂÂ4 on aggregate for the first time since 2012âÂÂ13. He reached the final and was eventually named in the Team of the Season in that competition.
Sabitzer played youth international football for Austria at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels.
He made his senior international debut for Austria at the age of 18 on 5 June 2012, in a goalless friendly against Romania.
He represented the national team at UEFA Euro 2016, UEFA Euro 2020, and UEFA Euro 2024.
On 25 June 2024, Sabitzer was awarded player of the match, scoring the decisive goal in a 3âÂÂ2 victory over the Netherlands in the final group stage match of Euro 2024, ensuring his country finished at the top of their group.
He is a son of former Austria international Herfried Sabitzer, and the cousin of footballer Thomas Sabitzer.
Scores and results list Austria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sabitzer goal
Admira Wacker
Red Bull Salzburg
Bayern Munich
Manchester United
Individual