Petar Musa Bio
Petar Musa is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas and the Croatia national team. Born on 4 March 1998 in Zagreb, Croatia, he has built his reputation through spells in the Czech First League, the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and Major League Soccer.
Standing 190 cm tall, Musa began his career in Croatian football before moving abroad as a teenager, eventually becoming one of the more recognizable Croatian strikers of his generation. His journey from the Hrvatski Dragovoljac youth system to Champions League football and then to MLS reflects steady development and a knack for scoring goals at every level.
Early Life and Background
Petar Musa was born on 4 March 1998 in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. He grew up in a football-oriented environment and began playing organized football in the youth system of Hrvatski Dragovoljac, a club based in the Croatian capital.
His father, Željko Musa, is a Bosnian Croat originally from Široki Brijeg, which gave the young Musa an early connection to the wider regional football culture. The family supported his sporting ambitions, and Musa joined NK Zagreb in 2007, where he would progress through the academy ranks.
At NK Zagreb, Musa developed the technical foundations that would later define his style as a centre forward. The youth setup in Zagreb offered him a pathway into senior football, and by his late teens he was ready to test himself in the Croatian top flight.
Path to Professional Soccer
Musa made his first-team debut for NK Zagreb on 1 March 2016 in the Prva HNL, appearing in a 3–0 away loss to Slaven Belupo. Across his time in the senior side, he accumulated six appearances as the club was relegated to the 2. HNL.
Looking for a stronger platform, he signed with Slavia Prague in 2017, one of the dominant forces in Czech football. The move marked the beginning of a multi-year spell in the Czech Republic, where he would be loaned to several clubs to gain experience and refine his finishing.
Those loans included Viktoria Žižkov, Slovan Liberec, 1. FC Union Berlin, and Boavista, allowing Musa to sample different leagues and tactical systems. The pathway ultimately prepared him for a permanent return to Slavia Prague’s first team and, eventually, a high-profile transfer to Portuguese giant Benfica.
Petar Musa Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Musa’s first-team journey began at NK Zagreb in 2015, where he made his professional debut the following year. After joining Slavia Prague in 2017, he was immediately loaned to Viktoria Žižkov in the Czech National Football League, where he scored 12 goals in 37 games and caught attention with his movement inside the box.
In February 2019, he was loaned to Slovan Liberec, making his Czech First League debut on 16 February in a 2–1 away loss to Baník Ostrava. The following season at Slavia Prague proper produced a breakthrough, as Musa scored 14 league goals and finished as joint top scorer of the Czech First League at just 22 years and 122 days old.
Slavia Prague Breakthrough (2019–2021)
During the first half of the 2019–20 season, Musa displayed impressive goalscoring form, netting seven goals including a brace against Mladá Boleslav on 27 October. That run convinced Slavia Prague to recall him from his loan and integrate him into the first team.
In the league season, Musa scored against Sparta Prague in the Prague derby, netted the winner in a 1–0 victory over 1. FK Příbram, and grabbed a brace in a 4–0 win over FK Jablonec. He finished the campaign as joint top scorer with Libor Kozák, becoming the youngest player ever to top the Czech First League scoring charts.
Although he chose to stay at Slavia for another season to continue his development, a scoring drought followed. On 1 February 2021, the last day of the winter transfer window, he was loaned to Bundesliga side 1. FC Union Berlin, where he scored his first German top-flight goal on 17 April in a 2–1 home victory over VfB Stuttgart.
Benfica Era (2022–2024)
On 20 May 2022, Musa signed a five-year contract with Benfica of the Primeira Liga in a deal worth €5 million, plus the transfer of Ricardo Mangas and a partial exchange involving Ilija Vukotić, bringing the net cost to €4.5 million. He made his Benfica debut on 23 August, replacing Gonçalo Ramos in the 52nd minute of a 3–0 home win over Dynamo Kyiv in the second leg of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League play-off round.
Four days later, Musa made his league debut against former club Boavista, providing an assist and winning a penalty converted by João Mário in a 3–0 win. He scored his first Benfica goal on 8 October in a 4–2 home win over Rio Ave, and on 2 November he netted his first Champions League goal in a 6–1 away victory over Maccabi Haifa, helping Benfica qualify for the round of sixteen as group winners.
Used mainly as a backup to Gonçalo Ramos, Musa finished the season with 11 goals across all competitions as Benfica won their first Primeira Liga title since 2019. He started the 2023–24 season by closing a 2–0 victory over Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira on 9 August, lifting his second trophy with the club.
FC Dallas Era (2024–Present)
On 1 February 2024, Musa moved to Major League Soccer side FC Dallas on a four-year contract with an additional option year, joining as a Designated Player. The American club paid a club-record $9.7 million transfer fee, which could rise to $13 million with add-ons.
He debuted on 2 March against CF Montreal in the 2024 MLS season, scoring his first FC Dallas goal in stoppage time at the half after a VAR review, assisted by Bernard Kamungo, in a 1–2 loss. On 19 June 2024, he recorded his first career hat trick in a 5–3 win against Minnesota United FC, signaling his growing impact in MLS.
Driving Style and Strengths
Musa is a traditional number nine who combines strong aerial ability with intelligent movement in the penalty area. His height of 190 cm allows him to compete for headers, while his finishing with both feet and his timing of runs made him a productive scorer in the Czech First League and the Primeira Liga. He has shown an ability to adapt to different tactical setups, whether leading the line in a possession-based side or operating as a focal point in transition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable moments, Musa became the youngest player ever to top the Czech First League scoring charts during the 2019–20 season. He also scored in the UEFA Champions League group stage for Benfica against Maccabi Haifa and lifted two senior trophies, the 2022–23 Primeira Liga title and the 2023 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. His first FC Dallas hat trick against Minnesota United FC marked a significant milestone in his MLS career.
Petar Musa Career Wins
Petar Musa has collected silverware at both club and youth international level, with his most prominent honours won during his time at Benfica. His trophy haul reflects consistent contributions as a squad player in title-winning environments.
Slavia Prague Highlights
During his time at Slavia Prague, Musa became the youngest player ever to finish as joint top scorer of the Czech First League in 2019–20, netting 14 league goals. Although he did not lift a senior league title with the club, his individual scoring record represented one of the most productive seasons of his career.
Benfica Highlights
At Benfica, Musa was part of the squad that won the 2022–23 Primeira Liga title, the club’s first league crown since 2019. He also featured in the 2–0 victory over Porto in the 2023 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, winning his second trophy in Lisbon.
International Highlights
Musa represented Croatia at under-18 and under-21 level before earning his senior debut on 25 March 2023, replacing Marko Livaja in the 53rd minute of a 1–1 draw with Wales in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier. He has continued to feature for the senior national team setup under manager Zlatko Dalić.
Petar Musa Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Petar Musa’s family background is rooted in both Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. His father, Željko Musa, is a Bosnian Croat originally from Široki Brijeg, giving the family strong ties to the broader regional football tradition.
Personal Life
Beyond his career as a professional striker, Musa keeps his personal life largely out of the public eye. He was raised in Zagreb and remains connected to his Croatian roots, with his family playing a steady role in his development from youth football to the international stage.
2025 Season Performance
Petar Musa enters the 2025 MLS season with FC Dallas as a key attacking figure following his club-record transfer in 2024. After a debut year that featured his first hat trick against Minnesota United FC, expectations are high for the Croatian striker to build on his initial MLS output.
Operating as a Designated Player, Musa is expected to lead the line for FC Dallas and serve as the focal point of the team’s attack. His ability to combine with wide players and midfield runners will likely shape the club’s tactical approach, while his experience in the Champions League and Primeira Liga adds a layer of composure in front of goal.
On the international stage, Musa remains part of the Croatia senior setup and will look to add to his caps during the 2025 calendar. With his contract running through 2028, the coming year represents an opportunity to cement his status as one of the more productive Croatian strikers playing abroad.