Ruben van Bommel Reunites with Childhood Friends Aleksandar and Filip Stankovic on International Stage
Ruben van Bommel is set to face Aleksandar and Filip Stankovic, two childhood friends he spent hours playing street football with in Milan. According to VoetbalPrimeur, the Oranje attacker encounters the Serbian international brothers in Belgrade, rekindling a bond formed when their fathers played in Serie A.
Milan Childhood and Schoolyard Days
The shared history dates back to when Van Bommel lived in Milan between his seventh and eighth years, while his father, Mark van Bommel, played for AC Milan. The Stankovic brothers lived in the same neighborhood, where their father, Dejan Stankovic, played for Internazionale. Van Bommel told the AD that their families got along well, noting that they spent hours playing as neighbors and attended the same school in Milan.
Did you know? While Mark van Bommel and Dejan Stankovic contested the Milan derby on the pitch, Van Bommel would occasionally drive the Stankovic children to school on the same day the two fathers faced off in Serie A.
Reconnecting on Ibiza and Facing Off in Belgrade
Although contact between the families faded over the years, Van Bommel and the Stankovic brothers crossed paths again during the summer on Ibiza. Van Bommel noted that despite the lapse in contact, picking up where they left off felt completely natural and spontaneous because they share a unique past. That bond now extends to the international stage as all three have established themselves as professional footballers representing their respective countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Aleksandar and Filip Stankovic?
They are the sons of former Internazionale midfielder Dejan Stankovic and current Serbian international footballers.
How do Ruben van Bommel and the Stankovic brothers know each other?
They grew up in the same Milan neighborhood as young children, attended the same school, and played street football together while their fathers played for rival clubs AC Milan and Internazionale.
Where did the players reunite before the international fixture?
According to VoetbalPrimeur, the childhood friends crossed paths on Ibiza during the summer.
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