PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tomáš Holeš |
| Date of Birth | 31 March 1993 (Age: 33) |
| Place of Birth | Czech Republic |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Height | 1.80 m |
| Position | Centre-back / Right-back / Defensive Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | Slavia Prague |
| Previous Clubs | Hradec Králové, Jablonec |
| International Caps | 43 |
| International Goals | 2 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam. June 27, 2021. UEFA Euro 2020 round of 16. Czech Republic versus Netherlands. The underdogs had a plan, and Tomáš Holeš was at the heart of it.
With the score still 0-0 in the 68th minute, the Czechs won a corner. The ball was swung in, and there was Holeš—rising above the Dutch defence to power a header past Maarten Stekelenburg. The Czech Republic had the lead. Twelve minutes later, he turned provider, delivering a pinpoint assist for Patrik Schick to seal a famous 2-0 victory and send the Czechs into the quarter-finals.
It was the defining moment of his international career. The versatile defender, who had only made his senior debut for the Czech Republic the previous year, had announced himself on the biggest stage.
Five years later, he would walk away from the national team on his own terms. After the 2026 World Cup, at 33 years old, Holeš announced his retirement from international football, closing the chapter on a career that brought him 43 caps, two goals, and memories that would last a lifetime.
Origins
Tomáš Holeš was born on 31 March 1993 in the Czech Republic. He began his professional career with Hradec Králové, where he spent four seasons and made 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals.
His performances earned him a move to Jablonec, where he spent two seasons (2017-2019), making 59 appearances and scoring 7 goals. It was at Jablonec that his reputation as a reliable and versatile defender grew, catching the attention of Czech giants Slavia Prague.
The Professional Forge
Slavia Prague (2019-Present)
Holeš joined Slavia Prague in July 2019. He has become a cornerstone of the club’s defence, capable of playing at centre-back, right-back, or in defensive midfield. His leadership and experience have been invaluable as Slavia have consistently competed at the top of Czech football and in European competitions.
Over his Slavia career, he has made over 200 appearances across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and providing 16 assists across seven seasons. He has been a key figure in the club’s domestic dominance and their forays into the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
In European competition, Holeš has featured in 43 matches across the three UEFA club competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists. His most recent UEFA Champions League appearance saw him start at right-back against Barcelona in January 2026, providing an assist in a 4-2 defeat.
The Anatomy of His Game
Holeš is a versatile and experienced defender valued for his reliability and leadership.
In Possession
Holeš is comfortable in possession and contributes to build-up play. He has recorded 4 goal involvements (2 goals, 2 assists) in the 2025-26 Czech Liga season from 25 appearances. His career record shows 27 goals and 22 assists in 345 senior appearances, highlighting his capacity to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
Out of Possession
Defensively, Holeš is known for his positioning, strength, and ability to read the game. In the 2025-26 season, he has averaged 1.90 tackles and 0.95 interceptions per 90 minutes, as well as 6.67 clearances. His physical attributes—180cm tall and 73kg—make him solid in the air.
Versatility
Holeš’s greatest asset is his versatility. He is equally comfortable at centre-back, right-back, or defensive midfield. This flexibility has made him invaluable to both Slavia Prague and the Czech national team, allowing managers to deploy him where needed.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025-26 Season Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Liga | 25 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| UEFA Champions League | 4 | 0 | 1 | — |
| World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
TABLE B: Career (Senior)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hradec Králové | — | 81 | 2 | 3 |
| Jablonec | 2017-2019 | 59 | 7 | 3 |
| Slavia Prague | 2019-Present | 205 | 18 | 16 |
| Total | 2012-Present | 345 | 27 | 22 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Euro 2020 | 5 | 1 | Quarter-finals |
| UEFA Euro 2024 | 3 | 0 | Group Stage |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Senior Career | 43 | 2 | — |
TABLE D: Major Individual & Team Honours
| Honour | Year(s) | Club/Team |
|---|---|---|
| Czech First League | 2020, 2021, 2024 | Slavia Prague |
| UEFA Euro 2020 Quarter-finalist | 2021 | Czech Republic |
What These Figures Reveal
Holeš is a model of consistency. With 345 senior appearances and counting, he has proven his durability and reliability. His versatility—covering three different positions—has made him one of Czech football’s most dependable servants. His most memorable moment came at Euro 2020, where he scored and assisted in a knockout victory over the Netherlands.
The Present Tense
Tomáš Holeš is 33 years old and entering the twilight of his career. He remains a key figure at Slavia Prague but has closed the chapter on his international career.
The Slavia Prague Story
Holeš continues to be a vital part of Slavia Prague’s setup. In the 2025-26 season, he has made 25 league appearances, scored 2 goals, and provided 2 assists. He has also featured in European competition, starting against Barcelona in the Champions League. He plans to focus fully on his commitments with Slavia Prague.
The International Retirement
On 25 June 2026, Holeš played his final match for the Czech Republic, starting against Mexico in the World Cup group stage. He had already made his decision before the tournament began.
Just hours after Patrik Schick announced his international retirement, Holeš followed suit, announcing his decision on Instagram. He stated that he had made up his mind even before the start of the World Cup and that no result at the tournament would have swayed his carefully considered decision.
“I didn’t want to make a decision in the heat of the moment. Knowing these would be my last matches for the national team, I headed into the tournament, and nothing could have changed the outcome,” he admitted.
He expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, fans, and family for their support throughout his international journey. He wore the Czech Republic shirt 43 times, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Holeš is known for his professionalism and leadership. He represented the Czech Republic at the U21 level before making his senior debut in 2020. His Euro 2020 performance against the Netherlands remains the pinnacle of his international career—a goal and an assist in a knockout victory over a European powerhouse.
Transfer Speculation
No transfer speculation surrounds Holeš. At 33, he is expected to see out his career at Slavia Prague, where he has been a key figure since 2019.
The Verdict from the Camp
Tomáš Holeš on His International Retirement:
“I didn’t want to make a decision in the heat of the moment. Knowing these would be my last matches for the national team, I headed into the tournament, and nothing could have changed the outcome.”
Tomáš Holeš on His International Career:
Wearing the Czech Republic shirt, Holeš played 43 matches, netted two goals, and provided one assist.
Where Next?
Tomáš Holeš is 33 years old and in the final phase of his career. He has been a model of consistency for Slavia Prague and the Czech Republic, earning 43 caps and scoring twice for his country.
The Slavia Prague Situation
Holeš remains under contract with Slavia Prague and is expected to continue playing for the club he has served since 2019. He will be aiming to add to his trophy collection and continue competing in European competitions.
The International Picture
With the back-to-back retirements of Patrik Schick and Tomáš Holeš, the Czech national team enters a new phase of transition, marked by the departure of two seasoned players who have long formed the backbone of the squad.
Legacy
From Hradec Králové to Jablonec, from Slavia Prague to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, Tomáš Holeš’s journey is one of quiet professionalism and unwavering reliability. The versatile defender who could play anywhere across the backline or in midfield has been a constant presence for club and country.
His goal and assist against the Netherlands in the Euro 2020 round of 16 will be remembered as one of the great individual performances in Czech football history. He leaves the national team with 43 caps, two goals, and the respect of everyone who played alongside him.
The man who waited until 27 to make his senior international debut proved that patience, hard work, and dedication can take you anywhere.
