10.11.2026 11:40
Beşiktaş's star striker Dusan Vlahovic's announcement that he will not join the Serbia National Team for personal reasons has sparked debate in his country. Following head coach Veljko Paunovic's statements at the press conference, Serbian fans harshly criticized Vlahovic for not joining the national team camp. Comparisons made especially over 40-year-old Luka Modric drew attention.
Dusan Vlahovic, who has attracted attention with his performance in the Beşiktaş jersey this season, has found himself at the center of a controversy within the Serbia national team. Serbia, who will face Germany in the UEFA Nations League on November 13, saw head coach Veljko Paunovic announce that the star striker would not be able to join the national team camp due to a personal issue. The wording used by Paunovic led to questions about Vlahovic's commitment to the national team.
PAUNOVIC'S WORDS SPARKED DEBATE
Serbia national team head coach Veljko Paunovic, at a press conference, said that Vlahovic had told him he needed to resolve a personal situation. The experienced coach avoided giving details about the player's private life, while framing the star striker's absence as an opportunity for other players.
Paunovic used the following words in his statement:
"He told me he had a personal situation he needed to handle. That's all I can say on the matter. Obviously, it wouldn't be right for me to speak on his behalf; you should go and ask him directly whether he is ready to answer that question. Vlahovic's absence is of course a loss for us on the pitch; however, this situation is an important opportunity for other players to prove their readiness, loyalty, and commitment to the national jersey."
"EVEN 40-YEAR-OLD MODRIC COMES"
Following Paunovic's remarks, criticism of Vlahovic increased in Serbia. While some fans argued that the star footballer did not give enough importance to national team call-ups, comparisons were made with Croatia's experienced player Luka Modric.
One fan said, "Modric, at 40, has not missed a national team camp even once. But when Dusan is supposed to play for the national team, he always has a problem in his groin area or finds a special excuse..."
Another fan expressed his reaction by saying, "Everyone must now realize the facts. Someone who does not want to wear the national jersey should never be called up to the squad again." Some fans who thought Vlahovic did not want to play for the national team also criticized the star footballer's decision.
10 GOAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN 14 MATCHES AT BEŞİKTAŞ
Dusan Vlahovic, 26, who transferred to Beşiktaş at the start of the season, recorded 9 goals and 1 assist in 14 official matches in the black-and-white jersey. The Serbian center-forward, who directly contributed to a total of 10 goals, became the target of criticism in his country due to his national team decision despite his successful performance at club level.