Once negotiated with MU, but then Stefan Bajcetic joined Liverpool and became a promising factor in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Srdjan Bajcetic always made it clear that his family would settle in Vigo, the northwestern city of the Iberian Peninsula that captivated them between 1994 and 1997. Former Serbian midfielder played for Celta for 3 seasons.

Bajcetic is outstanding with Liverpool

Although his career took him back to Serbia, Portugal and China, by the time he retired, he knew his destiny was tied to Galicia.

There, in October 2004, his son Stefan was born, who 18 years later played in the Liverpool midfield under Jurgen Klopp, runner-up in the Champions League and Real Madrid’s opponent in the first round bаttle. 8.

“In football, sometimes things happen too fast. No one really expected that,” Srdjan confided to El Mundo, one of the two largest newspapers in Spain.

While Bajcetic Jr. Preparing for the first match in the knock-out phase of the continental cup, Bajcetic Sr. confided about his son and prepared for Celta C’s next match. He also worried about the future of A Madroa, the football academy where Stefan’s son went through before packing his bags to go to Anfield.

“PUT YOUR EYES ON THE BALL ALL DAY”

The first years of Stefan’s life were a replica of most future football players. “The boy was glued to the ball all day, almost dragging himself because he couldn’t walk,” the former player born in 1971 recalled.

Bajcetic’s childhood

At the age of 5, the boy registered to play for Val Minor, the training center where Thiago and Rafinha Alcantara once attended.

When he was old enough to join Celta Vigo, his family did not hesitate to nod. He was with Celta from before his 8th birthday until he was 16 years old, the day Liverpool came to sign a contract.

“Stefan was never an excellent student, he liked PlayStation and football.”

It was in a tournament where he played with the Galician cadet team. “Some scouts from Liverpool saw the boy and contacted us. But Stefan is still a child, not even 16 years old. He cannot go anywhere,” Srdjan continued the story. .

Many months passed, MU appeared. Uncertain about Brexit, the Manchester football team accelerated their activities.

“At first, Liverpool told us they couldn’t. Then, MU called my family, saying they were ready. Liverpool found out and contacted us again to sign a contract.” It is December 2020 and Stefan has just turned 16 years old.

“Celta does not have enough financial potential to make professional contracts at that age. Sometimes talents run away. To avoid this, you have to bring them into the first team,” Srdjan explained.

“DO NOT KNOW ENGLISH AND SIGN A CONTRACT IN A PаNDEMIC”

Two years later, Bajcetic continues to live in Liverpool with a family who adopted him and two other players from the club’s academy. They share a room, but Stefan “has grown up”, on and off the field.

MU contacted once, but Bajcetic chose Liverpool

“Stefan passed away when he barely spoke English and in the middle of a pаndemic, then he got Cоvid-19, he couldn’t play anymore, he was locked up…I think all of that made me grow my son.” “, the father was proud.

He is also looking forward to watching his son play against Real Madrid. As a football connoisseur, he also wаnted his son to control his development: “He never said that these problems were complicated or that he wаnted to go home. Never. He was always very clear and very professional in this subject”.

Last season, Bajcetic alternated between the U18 team and Liverpool’s academy while he was also known for the Spain U18 team. He played 3 matches with the Spanish U18 team in September 2021, and was called up to the U19 team last summer. This is where Stefan’s dance begins.

Stefan Bajcetic featured in Liverpool’s first team pre-season. Jurgen Klopp likes his presence. In August 2022, the midfield ιnjury crisis allowed him to be called up to the Premier League, then making his debut in the match against Bournemouth.

He has featured in three Champions League matches and the 2022 World Cup break gives Stefan the opportunity to further convince Klopp.

Since the tournament in Qatar, he has participated in 9 of Liverpool’s 12 matches, including in the last 6 matches – before facing Real Madrid – he entered the field as a starter.

“FOOTBALL CAN PUSH YOU INTO THE MUD”

He’s not the type to praise his son: “It makes me proud, of course, and we hope it continues like that, because football tends to put you in the mud.”

The former Serbian midfielder reflects on Stefan’s adaptation to professional football: “I see him as a good player, focused and realistic, aware that he must try to stay there.

If I see my son confused, I will sаy something to him, because the difference between a great player and a good player is the head and the mentality.

Now Stefan is more serious, he sees things and football differently. I almost think more like an Englishman. »

An important decision is also planned for Stefan: to play for Serbia or Spain. His father does not intend to intervene: “I think there is nothing serious to sаy, he has only played a few matches as a professional player. He is still a child. If they call, we’ll talk about it.”