Dusan Tadic Ends Two-Year Hiatus to Rejoin Serbia National Team
After stepping away from international football for two years, Dusan Tadic has declared his return to the Serbia national team. The announcement followed NEC Nijmegen’s recent match against Juventus, marking a significant moment as the experienced midfielder re-engages with European football and rediscovers his drive to represent his country.
A Legendary Comeback
The 37-year-old, who retired following Euro 2024, is ready to don the Serbian jersey once again. Despite the disappointment of NEC's 5-0 loss to Juventus, Tadic shifted focus to a positive national boost. Holding the record for most appearances with 111 caps, he promises to bring valuable leadership back to the squad.
“Now I want to help my country again. I feel the need to enjoy playing for the nation again. It always gives a sense of pride. You will soon see me playing in the match against the Netherlands,” Tadic told Ziggo Sport.
Return Fueled by Serbian FA and European Football
Tadic’s comeback was influenced by persistent efforts from the Serbian Football Association and his move back to Europe. While playing in Saudi Arabia, logistics and distance made returning difficult. Now at NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie, the creative midfielder feels physically ready and motivated.
“When I had stopped, the association called me several times to come back. At those times, I wasn’t physically ready for it yet. When I was playing there (Saudi Arabia), the distance was too great to travel back and forth constantly,” he explained.
Reflecting on NEC’s Defeat Against Juventus
The heavy 5-0 defeat exposed tactical weaknesses and poor communication within NEC’s squad. Tadic pointed out that players failed to keep spaces tight and support one another defensively, leading to an easy victory for Juventus.
“We should have helped each other today to keep the spaces tight. In the end, we just conceded goals too easily today. It wasn’t necessary. Our communication wasn’t what it should have been. When these things go wrong against a team like Juventus, you have a tough evening. When we had the ball, we often didn’t make good choices,” Tadic admitted.
Upcoming Nations League Challenges
Tadic’s return comes at a critical time as Serbia faces a demanding Nations League schedule. There’s no chance for a slow start, with four important matches lined up:
- September 24: Serbia vs Greece in Belgrade
- September 27: Serbia vs Netherlands
- October 1: Germany vs Serbia in Munich
- October 4: Netherlands vs Serbia in Eindhoven
These fixtures will test Serbia’s resilience and Tadic’s impact as they aim to strengthen their position in the competition.
