Tadic Expects Tough Challenge for Serbia Against Netherlands

Dusan Tadic Reverses Retirement Decision for Serbia

Dusan Tadic has made a dramatic return to international football. After stepping down from national team duties in 2024, the veteran playmaker answered subsequent calls to rejoin the squad, confirming his readiness to assist the team once again. Speaking to Ziggo Sport, Tadic reflected on the enduring pride of representing his country.

“If you play for your country, it is always a special feeling,” Tadic told Ziggo Sport. “I have played at the national team for years, but it is one of the most special feelings.”

The decision to return followed a recent 1-2 defeat to Greece on Thursday, a fixture in which Tadic contributed an assist. When the 37-year-old initially stepped away, Serbia had failed to qualify for the World Cup. Tadic noted that while playing his club football outside of Europe, international duty was far from his mind. However, repeated contact from the national federation eventually shifted his perspective.

“When I stopped, we hadn’t qualified for the World Cup. But whenever I played football outside Europe, I didn’t even think about the national team,” Tadic explained. “When I came back and they asked me if I wanted to help, I did feel like I wanted to help. It’s nice to be here. I needed a lot of time, because when I had stopped, they called me several times to come back, but then I wasn’t ready for it. Now I felt like I wanted to help them.”

Facing the Dutch Challenge

Looking ahead to Sunday’s fixture, Tadic offered high praise for the Dutch national team and head coach Ronald Koeman (referred to in source material alongside Xavi Hernández context). The Serbian attacker acknowledged the immense quality within the Dutch ranks, describing them as one of the top teams globally.

“Netherlands has a great generation with great players and a trainer,” Tadic said. “I think it is going to be a good match, but tough. We have a lot of new players who have to adapt. It will be an interesting test for both teams. We always want to win, but on the other hand you can of course not say that you are better. Netherlands is one of the best of the world and you have to respect that. We are going to do everything we can to get points.”

For Serbia, integrating a wave of new players remains a primary objective as they look to build cohesion under competitive pressure. Sunday’s match against the Netherlands serves as a crucial benchmark for how quickly the revamped squad can adapt against world-class opposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Dusan Tadic return to the Serbia national team?

After initially retiring from international football in 2024 following missed World Cup qualification, Tadic was repeatedly contacted by the national team. He ultimately decided to return because he felt ready to help the squad integrate new players.

What did Tadic say about the upcoming match against the Netherlands?

Tadic described the Netherlands as one of the best teams in the world with a great generation of players and a strong coach, acknowledging that the match will be a tough and interesting test for Serbia’s new players.

Which club does Dusan Tadic currently play for?

Dusan Tadic plays as an attacker for NEC, following his notable spell with Ajax.