# Ilija Vukotić

Ilija Vukotić (born 7 January 1999) is a Montenegrin professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Boavista.

## Club career

Vukotić began playing football competitively at the age of 12. On 21 March 2015, he scored a goal against Berane from distance in his debut for Grbalj, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Montenegrin First League at the age of 16.
In the Summer of 2017, Vukotić moved to Portugal, joining Benfica's youth setup.
On 17 August 2021, Vukotić signed a new contract with Benfica and was immediately sent on a two-season-long loan to Primeira Liga club Boavista. In the Summer of 2022, Vukotić joined Boavista on a permanent basis, as part of the deal that saw Petar Musa move to Benfica. The Eagles kept 50% of Vukotić's economic rights and a buy-back option.

## International career

He made his debut for Montenegro national team on 13 November 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands. He came on as a substitute in the 69th minute with his country down 2–0 and scored in the 82nd minute, making the score 2–1 on the way to the eventual 2–2 final result.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 16 February 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Grbalj | 2014–15 | Montenegrin First League | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 1 |
| Grbalj | 2015–16 | Montenegrin First League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Grbalj | 2016–17 | Montenegrin First League | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0 |
| Grbalj | Total | Total | 15 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 1 |
| Benfica B | 2017–18 | LigaPro | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Benfica B | 2018–19 | LigaPro | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 0 |
| Benfica B | 2019–20 | LigaPro | 18 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 18 | 0 |
| Benfica B | 2020–21 | Liga Portugal 2 | 24 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 24 | 3 |
| Benfica B | 2021–22 | Liga Portugal 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 |
| Benfica B | Total | Total | 52 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 52 | 4 |
| Boavista (loan) | 2021–22 | Primeira Liga | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Boavista | 2022–23 | Primeira Liga | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Boavista | 2023–24 | Primeira Liga | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Boavista | Total | Total | 41 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 47 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 108 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 117 | 6 |

### International

    As of match played 7 June 2022
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Montenegro | 2021 | 2 | 1 |
| Montenegro | 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 3 | 1 |
    As of match played 7 June 2022
    Scores and results list Montenegro goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Vukotić goal.
List of international goals scored by Ilija Vukotić :
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 13 November 2021 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro | 1 | Netherlands | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |