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Dusan Tadic Ends Two-Year Hiatus to Rejoin Serbia National Team

Dusan Tadic Announces Return to Serbian National Squad

After stepping away from international football for two years, former Southampton forward Dusan Tadic has confirmed his decision to represent Serbia once again. This comes after his recent transfer to NEC Nijmegen, reigniting his passion to play for the national team under coach Veljko Paunovic.

A Legendary Comeback

The 37-year-old, who initially retired following Euro 2024, revealed his comeback shortly after NEC’s heavy 5-0 loss to Juventus. Despite the domestic setback, this announcement serves as a major boost for Serbia. Holding the record for most appearances with 111 caps, Tadic is set to bring invaluable experience and leadership back to the squad.

"Now I want to help my country again. I feel the need to enjoy playing for the nation again. It always gives a sense of pride. You will soon see me playing in the match against the Netherlands," Tadic told Ziggo Sport.

Pathway Back to International Football

The Serbian Football Association kept reaching out to Tadic since his retirement, but his time playing in Saudi Arabia made a return difficult due to travel challenges. His move to the Eredivisie with NEC Nijmegen has improved his physical condition and reignited his ambitions on the European stage.

"When I had stopped, the association called me several times to come back. At those times, I wasn’t physically ready. Playing in Saudi Arabia, the distance was too great for constant travel," he explained.

Reflecting on NEC’s Defeat to Juventus

Tadic candidly addressed NEC’s recent 5-0 defeat in Turin, pointing to defensive mistakes and poor communication that left the team vulnerable. He stressed the importance of maintaining tight spaces on the pitch, which was lacking during the match.

"We should have helped each other today to keep the spaces tight. In the end, we just conceded goals too easily. Our communication wasn’t what it should have been. Against a team like Juventus, that makes for a tough evening. When we had the ball, our choices were often not the best," he said.

Upcoming Challenges in the UEFA Nations League

Tadic’s return is timely, as Serbia prepares for a demanding Nations League schedule. The team must quickly integrate him ahead of four intense matches: hosting Greece in Belgrade on September 24, facing the Netherlands at home on September 27, then traveling to Munich to play Germany on October 1, and finishing with an away game against the Netherlands in Eindhoven on October 4.

  • September 20, 2026: NEC Nijmegen vs Go Ahead Eagles (Eredivisie)
  • September 24, 2026: Serbia vs Greece (UEFA Nations League A)
  • September 27, 2026: Serbia vs Netherlands (UEFA Nations League A)
  • October 1, 2026: Germany vs Serbia (UEFA Nations League A)
  • October 4, 2026: Netherlands vs Serbia (UEFA Nations League A)

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