"We have a great team spirit, which is one of the key factors for success"

Do you remember how old you were when you started playing football and why you chose football?

I remember the moment well; I was seven years old when I wanted to train with a team and luckily I did. Of course, I played a lot of football as a little kid, but that was the moment when I got serious. I tried other sports, but football was always my first priority.

In 2009 you moved from Serbia to Hungary, to the Honvéd academy. Why did you decide to switch?

Yes, at that time I was still playing football at home. The agents were watching us all the time, one of them asked me if I would like to continue in Hungary, in the academy. At that time, they didn't have an academy system for youngsters in Serbia, so I took the opportunity. It was a terribly difficult decision, I had to separate from my parents and friends at the age of 15, I had to grow up quickly. Looking back, it was good for me to be independent, but it was a very tough time at the beginning.

As a player at home, you faced Vidi several times in crucial matches, how do you remember those matches?

In May 2017, the championship turned out to be a one-match final with Fehérvár at the end. Before the season, no one thought we could be champions, but maybe we weren't even expected to make the top four. That's one of the beauties of football, that sometimes you can win against all expectations. We had a great season with Honvéd, we loved being together, we trusted each other and the atmosphere in the dressing room was great all the time. Even though we were underdogs at the beginning of the season, we still won the championship. A year later, this match also decided the title, against Vidi securing first place. I also remember the 2019 cup final well, it was my last game in a Honvéd shirt. My penalty gave us the lead, we went into half-time with the advantage, but Vidi were much better in the second half, turned the game around in the second half and deservedly won.

You were tied with Davide Lanzafame as the top scorer in the 2018/2019 championship. What made your season go so well?

Again, I can only highlight the great dressing room atmosphere. We were a very good team, with older players like Djordje Kamber and Ivan Lovric setting an example for the others. I have to thank my teammates, without them I wouldn't have been the top scorer either. It was also important that I avoided injuries and played all 33 matches.

Also in 2019, you signed for Lugano in Switzerland and then spent two years with Partizan Belgrade.

It was a good experience in Lugano, I had a good time. I was in a strong league, I learned a lot, I played and scored goals, it was a good experience looking back. Partizan is one of the best and biggest clubs in Serbia, its history and its fans are famous far and wide. It was a great thing to play for them, I am proud to have been given the opportunity.

Moving on to the national team, you made your debut for the Hungarian national team in November 2018 against Finland. As a Serb-Hungarian dual national, have you thought a lot about which nation's national team you should play for?

I'm not going to lie, it wasn't an easy decision, as I was born and raised in Serbia, but I love Hungary and the Hungarian people a lot. Being part of the national team is a special feeling, I am proud of that time. It was a great honour to wear the Hungarian national team jersey, I got a lot from this country. I remember I couldn't wait to play against Finland. I'd been on the bench before that, but I made my debut in that game and we won, so it all worked out really well.

You have held several positions in your career, which one do you feel most comfortable in?

Of course, like every footballer in the world, I'm a goal scorer, so I like to be as close to the goal as possible (laughs). When I was the goal scorer, we played a two-striker system, I was one of the strikers, so I was very comfortable in that position. I also like to play on the left. For me, it's an advantage that I can play in several positions, so I can help the team where the coach asks me to.

Over the past month you have got to know your new teammates. As one of the team's senior players, how do you see what this rejuvenated Fehérvár can do?

First of all, it is very strange for me that at only 30 years old I am one of the oldest players in the team (laughs). Since I have been playing in Hungary, Vidi has always been a strong club and still is. I'd like to highlight the atmosphere in the dressing room, there is a great harmony within the team, which is one of the important conditions for success. The young people are very motivated, hungry for success, I feel we will have a good season!