20-year-old talent Stankovic ‘approached many times to play for Italy, but I am Serbian’

L’AQUILA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Aleksandar Stankovic of Serbia U18 and Enoch Owusu of Italy U18 (They both play in FC Internazionale) looks on after the International Friendly Match between Italy U18 and Serbia U18 at Stadio Gran Sasso d’Italia on September 21, 2022 in L’Aquila, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

Aleksandar Stankovic reveals he ‘was approached several times to play for Italy, but I am Serbian’ and is still cheering on Inter ‘with all my heart.’

The 20-year-old has just received his first senior call-up for Serbia and is following in the footsteps of his father, former Lazio and Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic.

His brother Filip is also a professional football player, a goalkeeper at Venezia, and both came up through the Inter youth academy.

Although they were born and raised in Italy, where the family was based during their father’s career, there was never any doubt about his loyalties.

“I am Serbian, I always present myself as Serbian wherever I go,” Stankovic told the official Serbian Football Federation website.

“I was approached many times with offers to represent Italy, but my response was always the same. My family is Serbian, I feel Serbian, and it is the only national team I want to play for.”

Stankovic still rooting for Inter

He was sold to Club Brugge over the summer, but Inter retained two buy-back clauses that they are reportedly already planning to activate in 2027.

“I didn’t need much time to adapt and earn my place in the squad. I am grateful to the coach, my teammates and the whole club for making the process so easy for me.”

Stankovic is still keeping a close eye on his former – and possibly future – club, especially now the ex youth team coach Cristian Chivu has taken over the main job.

“I am so happy for Chivu. I know how hard he works and how much Inter means to him, so I am cheering Inter on with all my heart.”

It was with the Nerazzurri that the midfielder also learned to appreciate different players.

“My father remains my idol, but I watched Hakan Calhanoglu closely in training for two years, and what he does on the field is incredible.

“My father gives me advice to behave well, to remember the badge on the Serbia jersey comes first. Every time I go to the training ground and see his picture near the locker room, I stop, look at it, and think I might one day get closer to the number of games he played for Serbia.”

Dejan Stankovic made 42 appearances for Serbia, but before then he also represented Yugoslavia and Serbia-Montenegro, during the period when the previous regime collapsed.