Ante Budimir is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Osasuna and the Croatia national team. Born on July 22, 1991, in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Budimir has become one of the most prolific goalscorers in Spanish football, recently breaking Osasuna’s all-time scoring record in La Liga. At 34 years old as of 2026, the left-footed forward continues to deliver impressive performances in Spain’s top flight, having scored 17 goals in 36 appearances during the 2025-2026 season.
Ante Budimir’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Ante Budimir |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | July 22, 1991 |
| Age | 34 years |
| Birthplace | Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Religion | N/A |
| Height | 190 cm (6’3″) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Position | Striker |
| Youth Clubs | Radnik Velika Gorica (1998-2008), LASK (2008), Radnik Velika Gorica (2008-2009) |
| Senior Clubs | Gorica, Inter Zaprešić, Lokomotiva Zagreb, St. Pauli, Crotone, Sampdoria, Mallorca, Osasuna |
| Jersey Number | 17 |
| International Debut | October 7, 2020 vs Switzerland |
| Turned Professional | 2009 |
| Net Worth | €3-4 million |
| Annual Salary | €2.5-3.1 million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Monika Budimir |
| Children | Four children |
| Instagram Profile | @budimir__ante |
Budimir is a refugee from Žepče who settled in Croatia, where he built his football career from the ground up. Standing at 190 cm, the physical striker has evolved into a clinical finisher known for his aerial ability and left-footed striking power. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming Osasuna’s top scorer reflects determination and resilience both on and off the pitch.
Early Career
Budimir began his youth career at Radnik Velika Gorica in Croatia before brief stints elsewhere. He made his senior debut with Gorica in 2009 before moving to Inter Zaprešić in 2011, where he gained valuable experience in Croatian football.
His breakthrough came at Lokomotiva Zagreb between 2013 and 2014, which earned him a move to German side St. Pauli. These formative years helped develop the work ethic and scoring instinct that would later define his career in top European leagues.
Professional Career
Budimir’s professional journey truly took off when he moved to Italy, joining Crotone on loan from St. Pauli in 2015 before making the transfer permanent. He then secured a move to Serie A giants Sampdoria in 2017, though another loan spell at Crotone followed. His career path led him to Spain with Mallorca in 2019, initially on loan before signing permanently.
In 2020, he joined Osasuna on loan from Mallorca, and the move became permanent shortly after. At Osasuna, Budimir has flourished, scoring 95 goals across 231 La Liga appearances in his career and becoming the club’s all-time top scorer in La Liga history. The 2024-2025 season saw him achieve a personal best with 21 goals in 38 appearances, finishing third in the La Liga Golden Boot race.
Wife
Ante Budimir married Monika in 2019, with whom he shares a touching backstory. Monika, originally from Vukovar, is also a war refugee who fled her hometown during the Croatian War of Independence. The couple met in Velika Gorica, bonding over their shared experiences of displacement and rebuilding their lives. Together, they have four children, with their youngest born in recent years. Budimir keeps his family life relatively private but has occasionally shared glimpses on his Instagram profile, where Monika has been a visible supporter, attending matches with their sons.
Ante Budimir’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ante Budimir’s estimated net worth stands at approximately €3-4 million. His wealth primarily comes from his football salary, career earnings accumulated over more than 15 years of professional play, and potential endorsement deals. The Croatian striker’s value has grown significantly since establishing himself as one of La Liga’s most consistent goalscorers at Osasuna.
Contract
Budimir signed a four-year contract with Osasuna in October 2023 that runs until June 30, 2027. The deal made him one of the highest-paid players at the club, reflecting his importance to the team’s attacking strategy. With approximately three years and €4,050,000 in estimated gross salary remaining on his contract as of 2026, Budimir’s future appears secure in Pamplona.
Salary
For the 2025-2026 season, Budimir earns an estimated annual gross salary of €2.5-3.1 million, which translates to approximately €48,000-60,192 per week before bonuses. This represents a significant increase from his earlier years at Osasuna, when he earned around €1.35 million annually in the 2023-2024 season. His salary progression mirrors his rising importance to the team, especially after breaking club scoring records and consistently delivering double-digit goal tallies season after season.
Career Earnings
| Year | Weekly Wage | Annual Salary | Club |
| 2025-2026 | €60,192 | €3.1M | Osasuna |
| 2024-2025 | €60,000 | €3.1M | Osasuna |
| 2023-2024 | €25,962 | €1,350,000 | Osasuna |
| 2022-2023 | €19,534 | €1,016,000 | Osasuna |
| 2021-2022 | €12,115 | €630,000 | Osasuna |
| 2020-2021 | €6,500 | €338,000 | Mallorca |
| 2019-2020 | €5,500 | €286,000 | Mallorca |
| 2018-2019 | €17,000 | €884,000 | Crotone |
| 2017-2018 | €18,000 | €936,000 | Sampdoria |
| 2016-2017 | €6,500 | €338,000 | Crotone |
Endorsements
Information about Budimir’s endorsement deals and sponsorship agreements is not publicly available. Unlike some high-profile footballers, Budimir maintains a relatively low commercial profile, focusing primarily on his on-field performances rather than brand partnerships. Most of his income appears to derive directly from his football contracts and salary rather than external endorsement activities.
Career Records
| Achievement | Details |
| La Liga Goals (Career) | 95 goals in 231 appearances |
| La Liga Goals (2024-2025) | 21 goals in 38 appearances (3rd in Golden Boot race) |
| La Liga Goals (2025-2026) | 17 goals in 36 appearances (3rd overall) |
| Osasuna All-Time Top Scorer | Record-breaking goal vs Valencia CF |
| Croatia Caps | 28+ international appearances |
| Croatia Goals | 3 international goals |
| Yellow Cards (La Liga Career) | 35 yellow cards, 0 red cards |
| Headed Goals (2025-2026) | 5 headed goals |
| Penalty Goals (2025-2026) | 6 penalty goals |
| Left-Footed Goals (2025-2026) | 10 goals with left foot |
FAQs
1. Who is Ante Budimir?
Ante Budimir is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for La Liga club Osasuna and the Croatia national team.
2. When and where was Ante Budimir born?
Ante Budimir was born on 22 July 1991 in Zenica, in the former Yugoslavia, and grew up in Velika Gorica near Zagreb, Croatia.
3. Which club does Ante Budimir play for currently?
Ante Budimir currently plays for CA Osasuna in Spain, having initially joined from Mallorca and later made his move permanent.
4. What position does Ante Budimir play and what is his playing style?
Ante Budimir is a centre-forward known for his aerial ability, strong heading, intelligent movement, and efficient finishing inside the penalty area.
5. How tall is Ante Budimir and which is his preferred foot?
Ante Budimir is 1.90 metres tall and predominantly uses his left foot.
6. What are some of Ante Budimir’s notable achievements with Osasuna?
Ante Budimir has become Osasuna’s top foreign goalscorer in club history and is among their leading scorers in La Liga, with over 60 goals in all competitions.
7. Which clubs has Ante Budimir played for before joining Osasuna?
Before Osasuna, Ante Budimir played for several clubs including NK Radnik Velika Gorica, Lokomotiva, Inter Zaprešić, St Pauli, Crotone, Sampdoria, and Mallorca.
8. When did Ante Budimir make his debut for the Croatia national team?
Ante Budimir made his senior debut for the Croatia national team in 2020.
9. What is Ante Budimir’s contract situation at Osasuna?
Ante Budimir signed permanently for Osasuna in 2021 and his current contract runs until 30 June 2027.
10. Why is Ante Budimir sometimes called the ‘Swan of Zenica’ or ‘Alchemist’?
He is nicknamed the ‘Swan of Zenica’ for his tall, elegant style of play and ‘Alchemist’ for his knack of turning chances into crucial goals.