Dusan Tadic Ends Serbia Retirement Ahead of Netherlands Clash
Dusan Tadic has confirmed he will return to Serbia duty and expects to feature against the Netherlands later this month, ending the international retirement he announced after Euro 2024.
The 37-year-old, Serbia’s record appearance holder with 111 caps, said the pull of playing for his country had proved impossible to resist. “I want to help my country again now,” Tadic said. “I feel the need to enjoy playing for the national team again. It is always a source of pride. You will soon see me in the game against the Netherlands.”
Serbia had continued to pursue a comeback from the former Ajax captain after his decision to step away. Tadic said he was not physically prepared to return during his spell in Saudi Arabia, while the long travel involved also made regular international call-ups difficult.
His switch to NEC Nijmegen has altered that situation. Back in European football, the creative midfielder believes he has recovered the fitness and desire needed to contribute again for Serbia.
“The association contacted me several times after I stopped,” he said. “At that point I was not ready physically. While I was playing in Saudi Arabia, the distance made travelling back and forth too difficult.”
Tadic announced his decision after NEC’s 5-0 defeat by Juventus in Turin, a night he said was defined by avoidable defensive errors. He criticised NEC’s inability to stay compact, saying poor communication and weak decisions in possession gave Juventus too much room.
“We needed to help each other and keep the spaces closed,” Tadic said. “We conceded far too easily and it was not necessary. Our communication was not good enough. Against a side like Juventus, those mistakes make for a difficult night. We also made too many poor choices when we had the ball.”
Serbia fixtures ahead
Tadic could be thrown straight into a demanding Nations League run. Serbia host Greece in Belgrade on September 24 before welcoming the Netherlands three days later. The squad then travel to Munich to face Germany on October 1, followed by another meeting with the Dutch in Eindhoven on October 4.
