Nemanja Matic definitely leaves Serbian team! FSS after shocking news: We respect Nemanja's decision

Foto: Marko Jovanovic

Football Federation of Serbia (FSS) Sporting Director Vladimir Matijasevic has confirmed that Nemanja Matic has decided to retire from the national team and added that the FSS will respect that decision.

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"When I arrived at the FSS, I spoke to Mitrovic, Milivojevic and Matic. Nemanja said then that he would return, but he had some decisions of his own to make that have nothing to do with us. We talked a few days ago, I called him on the phone, we also agreed to have coffee, if our time and obligations allow it. It was an extremely pleasant and fair conversation. He is determined to put an end to his national team career," said Matijasevic.

"I asked him if it had to do with the FSS president, the  head coach, his fellow players... he said it did not," Matijasevic said.

"He did not state any more specific reasons, he knows why this is so and pointed out that it's time for young people to take his place. I repeat, there was no persuading, but only a conversation. I respect his opinion. He is 32 years old, he has a difficult season behind him, it's necessary to have understanding. The head coach also spoke to him, about which you will surely hear more at a press conference on Monday. That is Nemanja's decision that we must respect."

Matijasevic also said that Serbia has a group of players who are in their later footballing years and that is realistic to expect that in the next year, two, or three, maybe someone else will say goodbye to the national team.

"European football is at the top level, it's hard, it requires a lot of sacrifices and it's natural for a change of generations to take place. We are aware of that, we know that a kind of rejuvenation of the national team awaits us. All that is completely normal and in line with the given circumstances, we must act as responsibly as possible and try to achieve the set goals and results, above all participation in the European Championship," said Matijasevic.

(Telegraf.rs)