BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Serbian footballer Dejan Petkovic a big hit in Rio de Janeiro

Record ID: 828882

  • Title: BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Serbian footballer Dejan Petkovic a big hit in Rio de Janeiro
  • Date: 13th April 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) SERBIAN FOOTBALLER, DEJAN PETKOVIC SAYING: "I did not have a crystal ball at that time to know that my country would be divided up, stopping being Yugoslavia, to become Serbia-Montenegro and now Serbia, to allow me to have another nationality. So I didn't complete my naturalisation."
  • Embargoed: 28th April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1SR9HAXHOHDQN8XK06JYU4PQK
  • Story Text: Sometimes described as "the forgotten Serbian midfielder", Dejan Petkovic has made his home in Brazil where he is adored by fans, young and old.
    He is worshipped in his adopted home and the young fans in Rio adore him, but Dejan Petkovic, a crowd favourite at Brazil's most popular club Flamengo, will be cheering for his native Serbia if they meet the five-times world champions in the 2010 World Cup final.
    The 37-year-old midfielder from Nis, near Belgrade, took a roundabout journey to his Brazilian home. He left Red Star Belgrade in the mid 1990's to join Real Madrid but did not get on well with coaches Jorge Valdando and Fabio Capello. He was then loaned to other Spanish teams and played in Italy, Saudi Arabia and China. When there was a rare opportunity to move to Brazil, it became his adopted home in 1997.
    "I am Serbian, and very proud of it, but also a bit Brazilian," said Petkovic, who is now affectionately known as 'Pet'.
    "For a long time I have felt a bit Brazilian. Officially I am a 'carioca,' meaning I have the official title of Rio citizen, I think there are a lot of similarities. I may have been born in Serbia but I am a Brazilian reincarnation from previous lives," he joked at Flamengo's Gavea complex Petkovic says Serbians and Brazilians are very similar. They like to laugh, party and sing and he says that's why he feels at home in Rio, which he calls a ''marvellous city,'' where he is welcomed by fans.
    "He is a real 'carioca,' he speaks like the locals from Rio, always joking in the same way we do," said a supporter watching the practice session.
    Petkovic said his career moved in the opposite direction to most Brazilians. He went from Real Madrid to Brazil, which is a well-trodden path in reverse for Brazil's best youngsters.
    The talented midfielder played only seven times for Yugoslavia. He has long retired from international soccer and now has his mind set on his native Serbia as they start out on their second World Cup adventure since the break up of the Balkan super-state in 2003.
    "To have qualified for the World Cup was very good for our country. At least we finished first in our group, ahead of France. And we have a new coach Radomir Antic, who is training our country for the first time. With his experience he has created a positive atmosphere and has brought back the confidence of the people in us," he told Reuters.
    Petkovic names Brazilian striker Zico and French legend Michel Platini as his heroes.
    The Serbian has completely integrated into Brazil's football culture, playing like a local.
    "Yugoslav players have always been called the Brazilians of Europe, that's what the national team was nick-named. We have the talent, and our technique-driven football was always under the spotlight in the Balkans," Petkovic said.
    In their first World Cup in Germany, Serbia, which was at that time still joined with Montenegro, faced the Netherlands, Argentina and Ivory Coast, finishing bottom of the group without a single point. Now, with players such as Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, captain Dejan Stankovic, Marko Pantelic and Milan Jovanovic upfront, Petkovic thinks they can hope for better in 2010, despite strong opposition.
    "We have a hard group against the traditionally awkward Germans, we have not played many matches against them. But I think we can perform well against Ghana, who are strong representatives from Africa. And with regards to Australia, I think we are better than them," he said.
    Petkovic has followed in his idols' steps by becoming a stylish midfielder and dead-ball specialist: he has scored many goals directly from corners. The younger members of the team have high praise for the maestro who has orchestrated Flamengo's revival as one of Brazil's strongest teams.
    "He is a key player in the group because of his experience and intelligence. Just being who he is is important for the group," said midfielder Fernando.
    Petkovic is seen as an equal by his Brazilian teammates. And, contemplating his idol Zico while autographing a shirt, he named his favourites for the 2010 World Cup.
    "Brazil are one of the favourites, Spain are also one of the favourites. England deserve respect and Italy, despite playing very badly at the moment, they need to be respected, they are the defending champions. And if Argentina sort out their defence, they could also create problems," he said.
    Petkovic has played for almost 10 clubs in Brazil. With the help of Adriano's finishing touch in front of goal, he steered Flamengo to the 2009 Brazilian championship. At one time he could even have played for the Brazilian national team.
    When he looked into becoming a Brazilian citizen in 2000 and 2001 he was told that he would not be able to play for the national team because he had already represented Yugoslavia. Two years later, after the breakup of Yugoslovia, Petkovic would have been eligible to don the hallowed yellow shirt.
    "I did not have a crystal ball at that time to know that my country would be divided up, stopping being Yugoslavia, to become Serbia-Montenegro and now Serbia, to allow me to have another nationality. So I didn't complete my naturalisation," Petkovic said.
    The midfielder may be as loyal to his adopted homeland as the local fans are to him, but this does not extend to the World Cup final.
    In his final message, he says he is right up there with Brazil to win the World Cup - as long as they do not meet his native country along the way.
    "The Brazilians want this sixth title, so let's cheer for Brazil to win it - as long as they don't play the final against Serbia. In this case, we will not be cheering for them!'' he laughed.
    Petkovic will turn 38 in September and says he is committed to sticking the pace until he hangs up his boots at 40.
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