Petar Musa

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. Standing 1.90 m tall, he is recognized for his physical presence in the box, sharp movement off the ball, and consistent finishing across multiple European leagues before his move to North America. Born in Zagreb, Musa has built a career that has taken him from Croatian football to the Czech First League, the German Bundesliga, the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and now to Major League Soccer.

Over the course of his career, Musa has represented major clubs including NK Zagreb, Slavia Prague, Union Berlin, Boavista, and Benfica, where he contributed to a Primeira Liga title. He has also progressed through Croatia’s youth setup, playing for the under-18 and under-21 sides before earning his senior debut in 2023.

Early Life and Background

Petar Musa was born on 4 March 1998 in Zagreb, Croatia. He grew up in the Croatian capital, where he was introduced to football at a young age through local youth programs. His father, Željko Musa, is a Bosnian Croat originally from Široki Brijeg, giving the family a heritage that spans both Croatia and the broader Bosnian Croat community.

Musa began his organized football journey in the youth academy of Hrvatski Dragovoljac in 2006. A year later, in 2007, he moved to the NK Zagreb youth system, where he would spend the next eight years developing as a forward. This period laid the foundation for his professional career, as he progressed through the ranks at one of Croatia’s established development clubs.

Path to Soccer

Musa’s rise through Croatian football was steady, and he made his senior debut for NK Zagreb on 1 March 2016 in the Prva HNL during a 3–0 away loss to Slaven Belupo. He went on to make six appearances that season as the club was relegated to the 2. HNL, giving him an early lesson in the demands of professional football.

His performances attracted the attention of bigger clubs, and in 2017 he was signed by Czech side Slavia Prague. The transfer launched him into top-flight European football and set the stage for a series of loan spells across the Czech Republic, Germany, and Portugal. Each of those moves added tactical variety and league experience, ultimately preparing him for a higher-profile permanent transfer.

Petar Musa Career

Early Career (2015–2017)

Musa’s early professional years were spent at NK Zagreb, where he made his debut in the Prva HNL in March 2016. Although the team struggled and suffered relegation that season, the experience provided Musa with regular senior minutes at a young age.

A brief stint at Inter Zaprešić in 2017 followed, before Slavia Prague secured his signature that same year. The move to Prague represented a major step up, exposing the young striker to one of the most competitive leagues in Central Europe.

Slavia Prague Breakthrough (2017–2022)

After signing with Slavia Prague in 2017, Musa was immediately loaned to Viktoria Žižkov in the Czech National Football League, where he scored 12 goals in 37 games. In February 2019 he was loaned again, this time to Slovan Liberec, making his Czech First League debut on 16 February in a 2–1 away loss to Baník Ostrava.

During the first half of 2019–20, Musa impressed with seven goals, including a brace against Mladá Boleslav on 27 October, which led Slavia Prague to recall him. Integrated into the first team, he scored against Sparta Prague in the Prague derby, netted the winner at 1. FK Příbram, and added a brace in a 4–0 home win over FK Jablonec. He finished the season as the league’s joint top scorer with 14 goals, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve the feat at 22 years and 122 days.

Subsequent loans followed, including a move to Bundesliga side 1. FC Union Berlin in February 2021, where he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 2–1 home win over VfB Stuttgart on 17 April. He then joined Portuguese Primeira Liga club Boavista on loan in August 2021, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists as Boavista triggered his €3.5 million buyout clause.

Benfica Era (2022–2024)

On 20 May 2022, Musa signed a five-year contract with Benfica for a fee of €5 million, with the net cost reported at €4.5 million. He made his debut on 23 August in the second leg of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League play-off round, replacing Gonçalo Ramos in a 3–0 home win over Dynamo Kyiv that sealed Benfica’s group-stage qualification.

His league debut came four days later against former club Boavista, where he provided an assist and won a penalty in a 3–0 win. On 8 October he scored his first Benfica goal in a 4–2 home win over Rio Ave, and on 2 November he netted his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 6–1 away win over Maccabi Haifa, ensuring Benfica advanced as group winners. He finished the season with 11 goals in all competitions as Benfica won the Primeira Liga title, their first since 2019. He opened the 2023–24 season by scoring in a 2–0 victory over Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, securing 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 transfer fee of $9.7 million, potentially rising to $13 million with add-ons, was a club record for FC Dallas.

He debuted on 2 March against CF Montreal in the 2024 MLS season, scoring his first goal for the club during stoppage time at the half in a 1–2 loss, with an assist from Bernard Kamungo. On 19 June 2024, Musa recorded his first career hat trick in a 5–3 win against Minnesota United FC, marking a high point of his early MLS career.

Driving Style and Strengths

Musa operates primarily as a target striker, using his 1.90 m frame to hold up play and bring teammates into the attack. He is comfortable finishing with both feet inside the box, and his movement across the near and far posts has been a hallmark of his play at Slavia Prague and Benfica. He combines physical play with sharp anticipation in the penalty area, allowing him to capitalize on second balls and crosses.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among his most memorable moments are becoming the youngest-ever Czech First League top scorer in 2019–20, scoring on his UEFA Champions League debut for Benfica in a 6–1 win over Maccabi Haifa, and recording his first MLS hat trick against Minnesota United FC in 2024. His senior international debut for Croatia came on 25 March 2023 in a 1–1 draw with Wales during UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying.

Petar Musa Career Wins

Petar Musa has accumulated notable team honours across his club career, including the Primeira Liga title and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira with Benfica during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons. He also reached the UEFA Nations League final with Croatia in 2023, finishing as runner-up.

Slavia Prague Highlights

During his time at Slavia Prague, Musa finished as joint top scorer in the Czech First League with 14 goals in 2019–20, a record-breaking feat for the youngest player to achieve it. He played a key role in the club’s domestic campaigns and contributed to multiple successful league seasons.

Other Wins & Performances

Musa scored 12 goals for Viktoria Žižkov on loan in the Czech National Football League and added another 12 goals for Boavista in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He also contributed goals during loan spells at Slovan Liberec and Union Berlin, showcasing consistency across multiple top European leagues.

Petar Musa Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Petar Musa comes from a family with roots in both Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. His father, Željko Musa, is a Bosnian Croat originally from Široki Brijeg, and the family has been a steady presence throughout Petar’s career. This dual heritage has helped shape his identity as a Croatian international.

Personal Life

Musa keeps his personal life largely private and is focused on his professional football career. He currently resides in the United States following his transfer to FC Dallas in 2024, where he signed a four-year contract running through 2028.

2025 Season Performance

Entering the 2025 Major League Soccer season, Petar Musa continues his role as a Designated Player and central striker for FC Dallas. Following his debut hat trick against Minnesota United FC in 2024, expectations are high for him to build on that momentum and establish himself as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.

With his contract running through 2028 and a transfer fee that made him FC Dallas’s most expensive signing ever, the club has built its attacking identity around Musa’s finishing and hold-up play. His adaptation to MLS has been steady, and consistent goal-scoring form would solidify his place in the league’s top striker conversation.

Beyond the MLS campaign, Musa remains part of the Croatia national team setup, having been called up for senior duty since 2023 and included in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His performances at club level in 2025 will be closely watched as he prepares for another major international tournament.