Marić was born to Bosnian Croat parents in Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg and started his first-team career in 1992 at amateur side SpVgg 07 Ludwigsburg from the nearby Ludwigsburg in then third-division Oberliga Baden-Württemberg. He spent two seasons with the third-division side, making 60 league appearances in which he scored 14 goals.
Marić's professional football journey started at a local amateur club in Germany, playing for SpVgg 07 Ludwigsburg in the third division of German football. He spent two seasons with this team, making 60 league appearances and scoring 14 goals.