Marek Okál
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 November 2008 | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | MŠK Žilina | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2025 | MŠK Žilina | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025–2026 | MŠK Žilina B | 10 | (0) |
| 2026– | MŠK Žilina | 5 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023 | Slovakia U16 | 4 | (0) |
| 2024 | Slovakia U17 | 6 | (1) |
| 2025 | Slovakia U18 | 2 | (0) |
| 2025– | Slovakia U19 | 7 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:36, 18 March 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 17:36, 18 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Marek Okál (born 7 November 2008) is a Slovak professional footballer who plays for Slovak First Football League side MŠK Žilina and the Slovakia national under-19 team, as a centre-back.
In 2024, Okál was a part of the U17 squad that would play in the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Cyprus. He was the youngest player to be called-up, at the age of 15.
Club career
Okál is a product of the Žilina youth academy.[1] On 11 October 2024, he signed his first professional contract with MŠK Žilina, signing until June 2027 to become the youngest player to receive a contract in the club’s history.[2][3][4] Okál transferred Žilina B-team in 2024.[5] He played 10 matches for the team in the 2. Liga.[5] After impressing with his performances, he became part of the A-team training process, where he was the youngest player to participate.[5] He captained the under-19 side in a historic 2–1 victory against Liverpool U19, advancing to the round of 16 of the UEFA Youth League.[4][6] Five days later, on 8 February 2026, Okál made his professional league debut for the A-team of MŠK Žilina, playing the full match of a 1–0 win against KFC Komárno.[7][8][9] He played in a 1–0 win against title holders Slovan Bratislava.[10]
International career
In 2024, Okál was selected by the head coach of the Slovakia under-17 team, Branislav Fodrek, to be a part of the squad ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship held in Cyprus.[11] He was the youngest player to be called up to the team.[4] He would play in the first game of the group stages, a 0–0 draw against Sweden, playing the whole match.[12] Okál played in all group stage matches but would not be able to help his team qualify to the next round, as they finished on last place with only one point.[13]
References
- ^ "Marek Okál medzi ocenenými - Novinky". Stars & Friends (in Slovak). Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Prekvapivá, no cenná ponuka: Šošoni si poistili 15-ročného stopéra Mareka Okála". Regionálny informačný spravodajský portál pre Žilinský kraj. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Marek Okál podpísal profesionálnu zmluvu s MŠK Žilina - Novinky". Stars & Friends (in Slovak). Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Najmladší hráč so zmluvou v histórii klubu. Ako kapitán viedol tím proti Liverpoolu". Denník Šport (in Slovak). Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ a b c a.s, Petit Press. "Neplnoletý trénuje s áčkom, jeho hodnota je šesťciferná. Žilina si poistila veľký talent". MY Žilina (in Slovak). Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "A Fantastic Night for Žilina: Captain Marek Okál on the Victory Over Liverpool - News". Stars & Friends. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ Šport.sk (8 February 2026). "Michal Faško opäť úradoval. Žilina otvorila jarnú časť výhrou". Šport.sk. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Forma Faška sa nezhoršila ani cez prestávku. Proti Komárnu rozhodol o výhre". sportnet.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ Teraz.sk (8 February 2026). "Žilina zvíťazila v 19. kole na domácom trávniku nad Komárnom 1:0". TERAZ.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Najmladší žilinský profesionál udivuje čoraz viac". Niké liga. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "U17 – Nominácia sokolíkov na ME do 17 rokov 2024". futbalsfz.sk (in Slovak). 10 May 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "U17 - Švédsko - Slovensko 0:0". futbalsfz.sk (in Slovak). 21 May 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ Homoľa, Jakub (28 May 2024). "U17 – Fyzická prevaha Poliakov rozhodujúca, mládežnícke Euro však cennou skúsenosťou". futbalsfz.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 18 March 2026.