LifeBogger presents the Full Story of a football genius best known by the Nickname; ‘V-Bomber’.
Our version of Mark Viduka’s Biography Facts, including his Childhood Story, brings to you a full account of notable events from his boyhood days.
We then proceed to tell you how the former Australian football striker became famous.
The analysis of Mark Viduka’s Bio involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him. Now, without further ado, let us begin.
Mark Viduka Childhood Story – Early Life:
For Biography starters, Mark Anthony Viduka was born on October 9, 1975, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by Joe Viduka (father) and Rose Viduka (mother).
Mark Viduka’s family are of Croatian Heritage and has strong roots in his origin country.
Despite strong affiliations with his homeland (modern-day Croatia), his parents made sure Mark stayed and grow up in Melbourne, Australia.
Joseph and Anna Rose had fled from communist Yugoslavia in the early 1960s before meeting and marrying in Australia. The former footballer (Joe Viduka) returned to pursue his political dreams.
Mark’s father was a former footballer who had strong political influence in the Yugoslavia government.
Thus, the migration and building up a family in Australia was meant to shed them from a political witch hunt. He later went back to Yugoslavia.
Mark Viduka, his son, was born in Australia just a year after the Yugoslavia government started their breakup process.
Occasionally, his father travelled to and fro not just to see his son in Australia, but to teach him the necessary antics in football.
As a kid, young Mark would wait for his Dad to return from Croatia. Upon his return, he played football with his son.
As a little fat boy, he was shy and didn’t say much, but he listened. His dad told him bits and pieces about his real homeland, Croatia.
Mark Viduka grew up living and learning football from his dad. He loved up to his goals of fulfilling his father’s dreams.
At some point, he had to battle between the choice of playing for Australia or Croatia.
Mark Viduka Biography – Croatia or Australian Team:
The Croatian War of Independence from Yugoslavia was fought from 1991 to 1995. Mark Viduka, a teenager, was at the top of his game during this period.
After the war, the new country could not still stand on its own feet. People still associate it with Yugoslavia.
Their new president wanted to make the name of Croatia separate and said was possible through football. This was the beginning of a severe hunt for teenage footballers both home and abroad.
Fortunately, all Reports which came to the president’s table mentioned one name- ‘Mark Viduka‘.
The new president was told how good Mark Viduka was, he knew of his Croatian background and he wanted him to come to help the new country realize their dream.
“You will be a symbol to all Croatians,” he told Mark, ” You are one of our own people who we hope will return to rebuild our country.”
What could the teenager have said? Although raised in St Albans, just outside Melbourne, Croatia was in Viduka’s blood. , but Croatia was their homeland.
Mark’s first language was Croatian because that was what his parents spoke in their home, and Anna Rose cooked only Croatian food while in Australia.
Unfortunately, Mark chooses his second home, Australia. Between 1993 – 1995, he made 20 appearances for their under 20 sides and scored 37 goals.
Croatia still got the players they needed to make them popular. His only relationship with his former homeland was his induction into the Croatian Soccer Association of Australia Hall of Fame.
Mark Viduka Facts – A Quiet and Humble Lifestyle:
Viduka loves the quiet scenery. Having peace of mind and quiet qualities is always seen as a vital part of his life.
Every day that he can since retirement, Mark Viduka takes Tara, his rottweiler, for a walk on the hills surrounding his Australian home. He is softly spoken to date.
Mark Viduka Family Life:
Who is Ivana Husidic? Mark Viduka’s Wife:
Behind the Australian Soccer Legend, there exists a glamorous WAG. He is married to Ivana Husidic (his long-term girlfriend) in a secret wedding he organised in 2002 while still in Leeds United.
Viduka chooses Dubrovnik, an ancient city in Southern Croatia, for the wedding venue. He got married to a former Croatian Model.
Both have three sons together: Joseph (born November 2002), Lucas (born September 2006) and Oliver (born May 2008).
Personality:
Viduka burst onto the scene at age 18 and dominated, winning the golden boot and Johnny Warren medal in two straight years before moving to Dinamo Zagreb.
He captained the Australian national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
Mark Anthony Viduka is a former Australian football player who played as a centre-forward. He captained the Australian national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany to the last 16.
He holds the record for most goals scored by an Australian in the prestigious UEFA Champions League competition with four.
Harry Kewell and Tim Cahil Partnership:
They are the three best Australian footballers, with Viduka topping the list.
Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell made global headlines as attacking partners for Leeds United, and there is little splitting them.
Their respective paths to the top were contrasting, with Viduka making a name for himself at home before departing for Europe, while Kewell left as a teen in search of a pro contract.
Among the FIFA 15 Australian Ultimate Team Legends:
They are the greatest Australian players in the history of the country’s soccer. Sometimes it is difficult to mention the best among the three.
FIFA 15 stats shows such close margins. Harry Kewell dominates here.
A Song:
Mark Viduka is a Cousin to Luka Modric:
Hates Publicity:
Since 2009, the enigmatic former English Premier League star and Socceroos captain has avoided the spotlight. He rarely comments on the A-League or the Socceroos.
Mark didn’t even bother to announce his retirement from the game. He maintains that all his transfer fees remained undisclosed. All he wants is his wife and children.
Coaching his Sons:
As his father did for him, now Viduka is coaching his own sons at Knights.
“You know, Melbourne is my home,” he said after being inducted into the Croatian Soccer Association of Australia Hall of Fame. “I’ve lived most of my adult life away from my home, and whenever I come back, I just fit straight in.”
Fact Check:
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Asides from our story of Mark Viduka, we’ve got other great Aussie Football Biographies that will excite your reading pleasure. Have you read the Life History of Garang Kuol and Sam Kerr?
Hale Hendrix
Hi there! I am Hale Hendrix, a passionate football enthusiast and writer dedicated to uncovering the untold stories of footballers' childhood and biography. With a deep love for the beautiful game, I have spent countless hours researching and interviewing players to bring to light the lesser-known details of their lives.
