Rankovic, who debuted at the Belgrade Red Star Youth Training, started his career with the former Yugoslav second-tier team FK Rakovic. After four seasons of training in Lakovica and Dynamo Pancheno, he transferred to Obilici in the summer of 1997.
During the three seasons of Obilici, Rankovic played for the team in 75 games in various competitions, contributing forty-five goals, and won the former Yugoslav League Golden Boot in the 1997-1998 season. With his outstanding performance in the league, in February 1999, Rankovic was selected for the national team for the first time, participating in the friendly match between the former Yugoslav national team and the Argentina team.
After Rankovic joined Shenhua in early 2000, he became the focus of media attention. From Haitang winter training to Australian training, Rankovic has confirmed his abilities to Shenhua teammates on the court through practical actions. In the warm-up match, Rankovic scored almost every game. Not only did his shooting and ability be recognized by most people, but he also had wonderful assists at critical moments.
In the ninth round of the 2001 season, Shenhua won three yuan alone in the away game against Shenyang Jinde 6-2, becoming the second foreign player in team history to score a hat-trick.
Lankovic who kissed Shenhua team logo
Lankovic maintained an amazing record in the battle between Lianhu. In the two consecutive Shanghai battles in the 2001 season, Rankovic scored penalty kicks. In the process of professionalization of Chinese football, Rankovic is the only player who has scored penalty kicks in the Shanghai competition twice in a single season.
Rankovic, who celebrated the goal with his teammates
After the end of the 2001 season, the technical team of Shenhua Club submitted a foreign aid assessment report to the club management. They believed that Saric's overall performance was better than Rankovic, so it is recommended that if the club intends to renew these three Yugoslav foreign aids, they should consider doing it in the order of Lhasa, Saric and Rankovic.
After hearing that the Shenhua team was interested in giving up Rankovic, Beijing Guoan team moved and wanted to recruit Rankovic under their command. Guoan team executive coach Wei Kexing said that Guoan team needs a player like Rankovic to partner with Xiao Wang Tao on the front line.
After joining Guoan in early 2002, Rankovic was expelled from the red card after a conflict with Li Tie in his first league with Liaoning team . Rankovic was expelled from the red card and received a ticket for five games of suspension from Football Association . In the end, due to poor condition and injuries, Rankovic was terminated after only playing for Beijing Guoan.
Rankovic signed by fans
After leaving the Chinese arena, Rankovic traveled to Belgrade Hayduke, Piro Tradnichki, and Crubala. In early 2006, 37-year-old Rankovic retired from Crubara.
After retiring, Rankovic became an agent and recommended the best midfielder of the Serbia Black League to Shenhua in the 2006 season.
