1. Early life
Branislav Ivanović was born on 22 February 1984 in Sremska Mitrovica, Yugoslavia. He hails from a family with a strong sporting background; his father, Rade, was a defender for the local team FK Srem.
1.1. Childhood and youth football
Ivanović spent his youth football career playing for various teams in his hometown of Sremska Mitrovica. Initially, he played as a striker until the age of 15, before making a successful transition to a defensive position, where he would go on to build a distinguished professional career.
2. Club career
Ivanović's club career began in his native Serbia, progressing through local clubs before moving to Russia and then England, where he achieved significant success, and later returned to Russia before his final professional stint in England.
2.1. Early career
Ivanović started his professional football journey with FK Srem in 2002, following in his father's footsteps. His performances there quickly began to attract attention from clubs in Serbia's top division.
In December 2003, Ivanović joined OFK Beograd in the First League of Serbia and Montenegro. Despite being brought in by the club's general manager Zvezdan Terzić, the 19-year-old defender initially struggled. He reportedly faced criticism from teammates due to a static posture and clumsy defensive reactions. However, Ivanović's inherent physical abilities soon distinguished him, and he secured the right-back position in the team, displacing Igor Radović. During his time with OFK Beograd, the team performed above expectations, even reaching the semi-finals of the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup. After two years in Serbia's top division, Ivanović began attracting interest from numerous clubs across Europe.
2.2. Lokomotiv Moscow
In January 2006, Ivanović signed with Russian Premier League club Lokomotiv Moscow.
2.2.1. 2006 season
Under the guidance of his compatriot, coach Slavoljub Muslin, the 22-year-old Ivanović made an immediate impact, solidifying his place in the starting lineup. He featured in 28 league matches, scoring two goals. Ivanović's strong contributions were vital to Lokomotiv's 2006 Russian Premier League title challenge, though they ultimately fell short after head coach Muslin was replaced by Oleg Dolmatov.
2.2.2. 2007 season
In his second and final season with Lokomotiv, the 2007 Russian Premier League season, Ivanović had become a crucial member of the squad under incoming head coach Anatoliy Byshovets. He made 26 league appearances and scored three goals. While Lokomotiv again missed out on the league title, they secured the Russian Cup, defeating FC Moscow by a score of 1-0 in the final held at the Luzhniki Stadium.
2.3. Chelsea
On 15 January 2008, English Premier League side Chelsea confirmed an agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow for Ivanović's transfer, subject to the player agreeing to personal terms and passing a medical examination. Chelsea successfully outbid competition from major European clubs such as Milan, Ajax, Juventus, and Internazionale for his signature. Although the transfer fee was not officially disclosed by Chelsea, it was widely speculated to be around 9.00 M GBP. Lokomotiv Moscow later announced the transfer fee as 13.00 M EUR (approximately 9.70 M GBP), asserting that it was the largest transfer in Russian football history at the time. Ivanović signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea the following day, inheriting the number 2 shirt.
2.3.1. 2007-08 season
Despite his substantial transfer fee, Ivanović did not make a single first-team appearance for Chelsea during the 2007-08 Premier League season under manager Avram Grant. The club cited a lack of match fitness, as the Russian Premier League season had concluded several months prior to his signing. Reports indicated that Ivanović, having not played competitive football for weeks, struggled to impress in training, displaying a noticeable lack of pace and fitness, particularly when matched against the club's forwards, even young prospects like 16-year-old Frank Nouble. By the end of the season, Ivanović had only played two matches for the Chelsea reserve side. Reflecting on his initial six months at Chelsea, Ivanović described it as the most challenging period of his career.
2.3.2. 2008-09 season
Before the start of the 2008-09 season, Ivanović was linked with a departure from Stamford Bridge, with Serie A clubs Milan and Juventus being the most prominent suitors. He later admitted that he was very close to leaving the club, crediting advice and encouragement from teammate Andriy Shevchenko as a key reason for his decision to stay.
Eight months after joining Chelsea, Ivanović finally made his first appearance for the senior team, starting at right-back against Portsmouth in the League Cup on 24 September. His performance, particularly his man-to-man marking and aerial ability, earned praise from newly appointed manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. Ivanović soon made his Premier League debut on 5 October, playing the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. However, a regular starting spot remained elusive, and he was benched for the next five league matches, making only a brief 85th-minute substitute appearance away at Hull City. His starting performance at right-back in the League Cup against Championship side Burnley on 12 November convinced Scolari to give him another look. Ivanović then started four consecutive matches at centre-back, including three league games and his Champions League debut away at Bordeaux. However, his performance in the home match against Arsenal on 30 November, which Chelsea lost 1-2 after leading at half-time, led to his relegation back to the bench. He made only a couple more starts in late December and early January, playing a total of nine games in the first half of the season under Scolari.
Towards the end of the winter transfer window, Ivanović was once again a transfer target, this time for Serie A club Fiorentina. On 27 January, his agent Vlado Borozan confirmed negotiations, but on 1 February, it was stated that Chelsea was unwilling to sell him, and he remained in London.
Chelsea entered a poor run of form, culminating in a 2-0 loss away at Liverpool and a goalless home draw against Hull City, leading to Luiz Felipe Scolari's dismissal on 9 February. New manager Guus Hiddink initially continued to omit Ivanović from the first-team. His first start under Hiddink finally came on 4 April away at Newcastle United, nearly two months after Hiddink's arrival. This was Ivanović's first league appearance in over three months, occurring just days after he scored a winning goal for the Serbia national team in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Romania. Despite limited competitive football in the preceding months, Ivanović responded with assured defensive displays.
He scored his first goal for Chelsea on 8 April against Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Anfield. Later in the same match, he scored a second goal, both headers from corner kicks, proving decisive in Chelsea's 3-1 away victory. These two goals, which secured Chelsea's progress with a 7-5 aggregate win in the tie, quickly made him an instant fan favorite and earned him the nickname "two-goal Ivanović". However, by the end of the season, Hiddink again relegated Ivanović to the bench after the Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona, meaning he missed both the second leg and the FA Cup final.
2.3.3. 2009-10 season
Ivanović began the season under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, his fourth manager in 18 months at Chelsea. He made his first start in the Community Shield against Premier League champions Manchester United. He was substituted at half-time, but Chelsea went on to win the match 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
In mid-August, Ivanović made his first Premier League appearance of the season in Chelsea's 3-1 away victory against Sunderland. In September, he made his first Champions League appearance of the season against Porto, stepping in for the absent first-choice right-back, José Bosingwa. Ivanović scored his first Premier League goal on 31 October against Bolton Wanderers with a shot from inside the penalty area, contributing to Chelsea's 4-0 victory at the Reebok Stadium. After his main competitor for a defensive spot, Bosingwa, suffered a season-ending knee injury in October, Ivanović became an automatic choice in the Chelsea defense.
As the season progressed, Ivanović remained a regular starter, even attracting transfer interest from other European teams due to his strong form. On 22 December, he was featured on the cover of Marca, a Spanish sports tabloid with strong ties to Real Madrid, which reported Real's interest in signing him as a replacement for their injured centre-back Pepe.
Ivanović continued to be a consistent presence in the Chelsea first team. In the Champions League second round first leg away against José Mourinho's Internazionale, he made a significant run before assisting Salomon Kalou for Chelsea's equalizing goal. His consistent performances throughout the season earned him a spot in the 2009-10 PFA Team of the Year as a right-back.
2.3.4. 2010-11 season
Ivanović started the season at right-back but later shifted to centre-back due to injuries to teammates Alex and John Terry, and the return to fitness of José Bosingwa. His first goal of the season came on 30 October 2010 in an away game against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League, a late header that secured a 2-1 win for Chelsea. On 4 November 2010, he scored a brace in a 4-1 Champions League victory against Spartak Moscow, with goals from a powerful header and a neat shot. His second Premier League goal, and fourth in all competitions, was a header during Chelsea's 3-1 loss to Arsenal.
Early in 2011, Ivanović scored his first goal of the year on 15 January in a 2-0 home win against Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge, converting a close-range shot.
On 10 February 2011, Ivanović signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea, committing him to the club until the summer of 2016. Upon signing, he expressed his happiness, stating it was a significant step in his career and that he aimed to help Chelsea win more trophies. He added that while negotiations took some time, his primary goal was always to remain with Chelsea, with mutual desire from both parties. He concluded the season as one of three nominees for the Chelsea Player of the Year award, ultimately losing out to goalkeeper Petr Čech.
2.3.5. 2011-12 season
Ivanović scored a headed goal in the 42nd minute of Chelsea's 5-0 Champions League group stage victory over Belgian club Racing Genk at Stamford Bridge. He also provided an assist for Frank Lampard with an outside-of-the-foot cross in the 50th minute against Blackburn Rovers, a match Chelsea won 1-0.
On 14 March 2012, Ivanović scored the decisive extra-time winner in the Champions League round of 16 against Napoli, completing a comeback in a 4-1 victory at Stamford Bridge that secured a 5-4 aggregate win for Chelsea. This victory marked Roberto Di Matteo's successful start as Chelsea manager. Ivanović then played a crucial role in helping Chelsea overcome Benfica in the quarter-finals and defeat favorites Barcelona in the semi-finals. However, he received a second yellow card in the second leg of the semi-final, leading to his suspension for the final against Bayern Munich. Ivanović also scored a double against Aston Villa in a 4-2 away win and netted a controversial offside goal in a 2-1 victory against Wigan Athletic.
For his strong individual season, he was again one of three players nominated for the Chelsea Player of the Year Award, but the accolade ultimately went to Juan Mata.
2.3.6. 2012-13 season
Ivanović participated in all of Chelsea's pre-season games, even captaining the team to a 4-2 victory against Seattle Sounders FC. On 12 August, he started the Community Shield match against Manchester City but was sent off for a two-footed tackle on City defender Aleksandar Kolarov. He commenced Chelsea's Premier League campaign by scoring an early goal against Wigan on 19 August, contributing to a 2-0 opening round win for the Blues. Three days later, he scored again, assisted by Eden Hazard, as Chelsea defeated Reading 4-2. The Serbian defender then scored another goal in Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Norwich City on 6 October 2012. He received another red card in a Premier League game against Manchester United for a professional foul on Ashley Young, in a match Chelsea ultimately lost 3-2. He scored his first ever League Cup goal in a 5-1 win over Leeds United on 19 December. On 23 December 2012, Ivanović scored his fifth goal of the season in an emphatic 8-0 thrashing of Aston Villa.
Ivanović continued his goal-scoring form into 2013, scoring Chelsea's third goal in a 5-1 FA Cup victory against Southampton on 5 January. This marked his first-ever FA Cup goal. On 7 April, in Paolo Di Canio's debut as Sunderland manager, Ivanović secured a 2-1 victory for Chelsea by deflecting David Luiz's long-range shot past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
In the Europa League final on 15 May 2013, Ivanović headed in the winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, securing a 2-1 victory for Chelsea over Benfica. This was his eighth goal of the campaign across all competitions and his first in the Europa League, ensuring a second successive European title for the London club and the 11th major trophy of the Roman Abramovich era. The victory also meant that for ten days, Chelsea uniquely held both the Champions League and Europa League titles simultaneously, until the 2013 Champions League final on 25 May. Ivanović's exceptional performance, contributing significantly at both ends of the pitch, earned him the Man of the Match award for the final. Following the match, teammate Frank Lampard praised Ivanović, describing him as a "great man" and a "beast" who "goes under the radar a bit because he just does his job, but what a player... He has been an absolute professional and he is a man you want on your side."
2.3.7. Bite incident
On 21 April 2013, during a Premier League fixture against Liverpool that ended in a 2-2 draw, Ivanović was the subject of an unusual incident involving Liverpool striker Luis Suárez. Replays showed that as the two players contested an incoming cross, Suárez bit Ivanović's right arm. Following an investigation, Suárez was found guilty of violent conduct by the FA and received a ten-match ban. Ivanović initially did not accept Suárez's apology but later stated he had calmed down and accepted it.
2.3.8. 2013-14 season
Ivanović became an integral part of newly appointed Chelsea manager José Mourinho's plans, starting almost all games throughout the season and missing only one league match due to an injury sustained in a 2-1 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. He made his first appearance of the season at Stamford Bridge on 18 August 2013, helping his side secure a clean sheet in a 2-0 defeat of Hull City. He scored his first goal of the season three days later, heading in Chelsea's winning goal in a 2-1 league victory over Aston Villa. Ivanović netted the only goal in Chelsea's crucial away victory over title rivals Manchester City on 3 February 2014, bringing the two sides level on points after 24 league matches. He also scored the 400th goal of the José Mourinho era at Chelsea across both of the manager's tenures, in a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on 11 February 2014.
2.3.9. 2014-15 season
Ivanović made his first appearance of the 2014-15 season on 18 August 2014, scoring Chelsea's third goal in a 3-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor. On 30 August, he scored Chelsea's second goal, just three minutes into their 6-3 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Ivanović was sent off in added time on 26 October after a foul on Ángel Di María at Old Trafford in a Premier League game against Manchester United, which ended in a 1-1 tie.
On 27 January 2015, he scored the winning goal, a header from a Willian free kick, in the first half of extra time against Liverpool in the League Cup second leg semi-final, helping Chelsea secure a 2-1 aggregate win and reach the final. On 7 February, Ivanović scored Chelsea's winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park. On 17 February, he scored the team's crucial away goal in a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Four days later, he scored the opening goal in a 1-1 draw with Burnley, marking his fourth goal in six matches across all competitions. On 1 March, he played the full 90 minutes in the League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, contributing to his side's 2-0 win and their first piece of silverware for the season. On 26 April, Ivanović, along with five of his Chelsea teammates, was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, and a week later, the team clinched the league title.
2.3.10. 2015-16 season
At the beginning of the season, Ivanović was appointed as Chelsea's new vice-captain. On 2 August 2015, Ivanović made his first appearance of the season in a 1-0 defeat in the FA Community Shield against London rivals Arsenal. He scored his first goal of the season in the first game after the departure of manager José Mourinho, against Sunderland A.F.C.. On 22 January 2016, Ivanović signed a new one-year contract extension with Chelsea. On 27 February, he scored an 89th-minute winning header in a 2-1 win over Southampton. Ivanović made his 350th appearance for Chelsea in all competitions on 1 March against Norwich City, becoming only the fourth overseas player to reach this milestone for the club.
Throughout the season, during John Terry's spells of injuries, Ivanović stepped up to serve as the team captain.
2.3.11. 2016-17 season
Despite suffering a minor injury at the start of pre-season, Ivanović returned during Chelsea's tour of the United States and continued to rotate with young right-back Ola Aina. Ivanović maintained his role as the starting right-back in the 2-1 victory during the season opener against West Ham United. However, following Chelsea's 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in September, Ivanović was replaced by Victor Moses in the starting lineup. This change prompted manager Antonio Conte to switch to his favored 3-4-3 formation in their subsequent 2-0 victory over Hull City. Ivanović scored his last goal in his final appearance for Chelsea in their 4-0 home victory against Championship side Brentford in the FA Cup, driving a low, hard shot past goalkeeper Dan Bentley.
2.4. Zenit Saint Petersburg
On 1 February 2017, Ivanović joined Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg on a two-and-a-half-year deal, concluding his successful nine-year spell with Chelsea. On 16 February 2017, Ivanović made his Zenit debut in their 2-0 away defeat to Anderlecht in the Europa League round of 32.
In his 125 appearances for Zenit, Ivanović not only established himself as a defensive cornerstone but also scored 12 goals. He notably captained the Russian team to back-to-back championships in the 2018-19 Russian Premier League and 2019-20 Russian Premier League seasons, and won the Russian Cup in 2019-20, an occasion where he famously dropped and accidentally broke the glass trophy during the wild celebrations.
2.5. West Bromwich Albion
On 15 September 2020, West Bromwich Albion announced the signing of Ivanović on a one-year deal. Ivanović appeared 13 times for the club in the Premier League during a challenging campaign that ultimately saw the club relegated to the EFL Championship. His performances drew criticism from some fans. On 27 May 2021, West Bromwich Albion announced that Ivanović would leave the club following the conclusion of his contract.
3. International career
Ivanović had a distinguished international career, representing Serbia at both youth and senior levels, eventually becoming the nation's most capped player.
3.1. Under-21 career
Ivanović's under-21 debut occurred on 15 December 2003 against Macedonia in Ohrid, a match that Serbia and Montenegro won 4-1. He scored his first goal just two days later against the same opponent in a dominant 7-0 victory.
He participated in the 2006 UEFA U-21 Championship in Portugal, where he made four appearances and scored one goal for Serbia and Montenegro. During this period, Ivanović was given the captain's armband. He continued to captain the independent Serbian U-21 team to the final of the 2007 UEFA U-21 Championship, where they were runners-up to the host nation, the Netherlands. His strong defensive contributions helped secure an Olympic qualification spot for his team, and he was selected for the tournament's Best XI. In total, he featured in 38 matches for the under-21 team, scoring four goals. He was also a runner-up in the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
3.2. Senior career
Ivanović received his first senior international cap on 8 June 2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in a friendly match where Serbia and Montenegro played against Italy, which ended in a 1-1 draw. He came on as a 77th-minute substitute for his club teammate Marko Baša. He was not included in the squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and did not play another international match until after the country's dissolution that year.
Ivanović scored his first international goal on 12 September 2007 in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against Portugal in Lisbon. Following an in-swinging free-kick from Dejan Stanković, he headed the ball in with two minutes remaining to secure a 1-1 draw.
Despite not having a regular starting spot at Chelsea at the time, Ivanović remained the automatic starting choice for Serbia at the beginning of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup under new head coach Radomir Antić. He scored three goals in nine matches as Serbia successfully reached the finals in South Africa. In June 2010, he was selected for Serbia's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, where he played every minute of their group stage matches.
On 28 February 2012, Ivanović scored on his first appearance as captain, in a 2-0 friendly win over Armenia in Cyprus. Under manager Siniša Mihajlović, he primarily played as a centre-back in several friendly matches before consistently returning to his right-back role. On 28 December 2013, Ivanović was named Serbian Footballer of the Year, becoming the third player, alongside Nemanja Vidić and Dejan Stanković, to win the award twice, and the first Serbian player ever to win it in consecutive years. Ivanović scored two goals for the first time in an international match on 7 June 2015, as Serbia defeated Azerbaijan 4-1 in a friendly in Austria.
In June 2018, he was included in the final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He appeared in two matches during the tournament, against Costa Rica and Switzerland. With his appearance against Switzerland, he officially became the most capped player in the history of the Serbian national football team, reaching 105 matches. After the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Ivanović announced his retirement from international football, concluding a distinguished 13-year career with the national team.
4. Style of play
Branislav Ivanović is widely recognized for his physical prowess and versatility across the defensive line.
4.1. Physical attributes and versatility
Early in his development as a footballer, Ivanović's physical attributes were particularly notable. Zvezdan Terzić, the general manager of OFK Beograd who signed Ivanović at 19, remarked on his exceptional physical dispositions, specifically his jumping ability, ball guarding, sheer physical power, step, and initial speed, noting that he had previously only seen such capabilities in Black players. Terzić described him as a "traditional healthy peasant child" who, despite lacking significant footballing ability and awareness initially, "eventually became a great player."
Ivanović is a tall, brave, and physical player, renowned for his exceptional aerial ability, which, combined with his sheer strength, enabled him to score numerous crucial goals throughout his career. Between 2008 and August 2014, Ivanović was directly involved in 60 goals for Chelsea (31 goals and 29 assists). Uncharacteristically for a defender, he possesses an adept finishing ability, leading former Chelsea manager José Mourinho to occasionally deploy him as a striker when the team urgently needed a goal. His robust and uncompromising style of defending made him a feared opponent in the Premier League, with Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling famously describing him as a "tank" - a "big guy, big upper body, big lower body. A real tank." Mourinho himself lauded Ivanović as a "competitive animal with a big heart" and considered him "one of the club's best signings" for his significant contributions.
4.2. Offensive contributions and leadership
From the 2014-15 season onwards, Ivanović increasingly pushed higher up the pitch from his customary right-back position, transforming into an effective attacking threat. His offensive positioning and runs up the flank or into the box, combined with his ability to deliver crosses, added a multifaceted dimension to his play. He noted that this shift in technique also allowed him to "pin back" opposing wingers into their own half, thereby shifting their focus from attacking to defending.
As a versatile defender, Ivanović was capable of playing anywhere across the back-line and was often utilized as a centre-back in addition to his regular role as a right-back. He was also known for his strong tackling ability and overall consistency as a player. Despite his effectiveness, he was occasionally noted for a relative lack of significant pace or exceptional technical flair, often favoring simpler passes in his distribution. However, he was also capable of linking up with teammates and advancing down the flank to deliver crosses into the penalty area. Beyond his on-field performance, Ivanović was recognized for his leadership qualities, having captained his nation. Upon his departure from Chelsea, former teammate John Terry hailed him as a "legend" and an "unbelievable defender" who was "a great and big character and presence in the dressing room." Mourinho, his former manager, affectionately described him as a "fantastic character."
5. Personal life
Ivanović's nickname is "Bane" (БанеSerbian), a common diminutive for the name "Branislav". He is married to Nataša (НаташаSerbian), a neighbor from his hometown of Sremska Mitrovica, and they have four children together. He is a practicing member of the Serbian Orthodox Church in London, St. Sava.
Ivanović has notable family ties in the football world: his maternal uncle was the late footballer Đorđe Milovanović, a former Red Star Belgrade player, and his maternal cousin is Dejan Milovanović, also a professional footballer, with whom he played in the junior national teams. Ivanović is also known to be friends with prominent Serbian tennis players, including Novak Djokovic, Jelena Janković, and Ana Ivanovic.
6. Career statistics
6.1. Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Srem | 2002-03 | Second League of Serbia and Montenegro | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | |||||
| 2003-04 | Second League of Serbia and Montenegro | 16 | 2 | - | - | - | 16 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 19 | 2 | - | - | - | 19 | 2 | |||||||
| OFK Beograd | 2003-04 | First League of Serbia and Montenegro | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | - | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2004-05 | First League of Serbia and Montenegro | 27 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | 6 | 0 | - | 35 | 3 | |||
| 2005-06 | First League of Serbia and Montenegro | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | 2 | 1 | - | 18 | 4 | |||
| Total | 55 | 5 | 4 | 1 | - | 8 | 1 | - | 67 | 7 | ||||
| Lokomotiv Moscow | 2006 | Russian Premier League | 28 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | 2 | 1 | - | 32 | 3 | ||
| 2007 | Russian Premier League | 26 | 3 | 7 | 0 | - | 6 | 1 | - | 39 | 4 | |||
| Total | 54 | 5 | 9 | 0 | - | 8 | 2 | - | 71 | 7 | ||||
| Chelsea | 2007-08 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008-09 | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | - | 26 | 2 | ||
| 2009-10 | Premier League | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 1 | |
| 2010-11 | Premier League | 34 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 6 | |
| 2011-12 | Premier League | 29 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | - | 45 | 5 | ||
| 2012-13 | Premier League | 34 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 59 | 8 | |
| 2013-14 | Premier League | 36 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 3 | |
| 2014-15 | Premier League | 38 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 1 | - | 49 | 6 | ||
| 2015-16 | Premier League | 33 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 2 | |
| 2016-17 | Premier League | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 16 | 1 | |||
| Total | 261 | 22 | 29 | 2 | 15 | 2 | 64 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 377 | 34 | ||
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | 2016-17 | Russian Premier League | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | - | 11 | 1 | ||
| 2017-18 | Russian Premier League | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | 11 | 3 | - | 38 | 5 | |||
| 2018-19 | Russian Premier League | 28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | 12 | 1 | - | 41 | 2 | |||
| 2019-20 | Russian Premier League | 25 | 4 | 3 | 0 | - | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 4 | ||
| Total | 90 | 8 | 4 | 0 | - | 30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 125 | 12 | |||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2020-21 | Premier League | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 15 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 492 | 42 | 47 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 110 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 674 | 62 | ||
6.2. International statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serbia and Montenegro | 2005 | 1 | 0 |
| Serbia | 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 5 | 1 | |
| Total | 105 | 13 | |
6.3. International goals
:Serbia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Ivanović goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 September 2007 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal | 5 | Portugal | 1-1 | 1-1 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
| 2 | 10 September 2008 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France | 14 | France | 1-2 | 1-2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 11 October 2008 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 15 | Lithuania | 1-0 | 3-0 | |
| 4 | 28 March 2009 | Stadionul Farul, Constanța, Romania | 20 | Romania | 3-1 | 3-2 | |
| 5 | 7 October 2011 | Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 44 | Italy | 1-1 | 1-1 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 6 | 28 February 2012 | Tsirion Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus | 48 | Armenia | 2-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
| 7 | 11 September 2012 | Karađorđe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia | 54 | Wales | 5-1 | 6-1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 8 | 31 May 2014 | SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, United States | 70 | Panama | 1-0 | 1-1 | Friendly |
| 9 | 7 June 2015 | NV Arena, Sankt Pölten, Austria | 78 | Azerbaijan | 1-0 | 4-1 | |
| 10 | 3-1 | ||||||
| 11 | 31 May 2016 | Karađorđe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia | 86 | Israel | 1-0 | 3-1 | |
| 12 | 6 October 2016 | Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova | 89 | Moldova | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 13 | 9 June 2018 | Liebenauer Stadium, Graz, Austria | 103 | Bolivia | 4-0 | 5-1 | Friendly |
7. Honours
Branislav Ivanović accumulated numerous club and individual honors throughout his career, reflecting his consistent success at the highest levels of football.
7.1. Club honours
Lokomotiv Moscow
- Russian Cup: 2006-07
Chelsea
- Premier League: 2009-10, 2014-15, 2016-17
- FA Cup: 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12
- Football League Cup: 2014-15
- FA Community Shield: 2009
- UEFA Champions League: 2011-12
- UEFA Europa League: 2012-13
- FIFA Club World Cup: runner-up: 2012
Zenit Saint Petersburg
- Russian Premier League: 2018-19, 2019-20
- Russian Cup: 2019-20
7.2. International honours
Serbia and Montenegro U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2004
Serbia U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2007
7.3. Individual honours
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2007
- PFA Team of the Year: 2009-10 Premier League, 2014-15 Premier League
- Serbian Player of the Year: 2012, 2013
- UEFA Europa League final Man of the Match: 2013
- FIFPro World XI 4th team: 2014
- FIFPro World XI 5th team: 2013, 2015
- ESM Team of the Year: 2014-15
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2014-15
- UEFA Euro Under-21 Dream Team
- Russian Premier League Centre-back of the Season: 2018-19