Milos Veljkovic was one of two Werder players who took part in the 2022 World Cup. The 27-year-old centre-back was in the Serbian national team’s starting line-up for all of their group matches, who ultimately just missed out on the round of 16. In an interview with WERDER.DE, Veljkovic describes his impressions of his performance at the World Cup, one day before his departure from Doha.
WERDER.DE: Hi Milos, it's been less than 24 hours since your World Cup journey came to an end with Serbia. A day on, how do you look back on the game?
Milos Veljkovic: "We really wanted to win the match and gave it our all. We hit the post twice, and sometimes you need luck in football. In the end we would have needed to win by two as Cameroon beat Brazil. For me personally, it was a huge experience that I can take a lot away from for Werder Bremen and the Bundesliga. Now, of course, I'm very disappointed, but at the same time proud to have taken part.
WERDER.DE: You were very brave and attacking, especially in the last few games.
Milos Veljkovic: "That's the style of play that got us here. Even if it didn't work out this time round, courage is in general rewarded. But we hope that this wasn’t our last major tournament - we can take a lot away and learn from it, then we will look forward and try to make our country proud."
It's in the nature of us athletes that I want to be even more successful.Milos Veljkovic
WERDER.DE: You were born and raised in Basel, your parents still live there today. So that last match against Switzerland must have been very special for you.
Milos Veljkovic: "Very special. At the World Cup in Russia, I only played the Brazil game, not Switzerland. I also knew one or two of the players. As a defender, however, I of course need to make sure I put emotions to the side and remain calm.
WERDER.DE: You started every game this World Cup. Do you think you’ve taken a step forward from the last tournament?
Milos Veljkovic: "Absolutely. Back then, I was just pleased to be making appearances, Through the starting eleven appearances, I realise that the hard work is paying off. But it's in the nature of us athletes that I want to be even more successful."
I know a couple other players from the youth teams, where we won the U19 European Championships and U20 World Cup together.Milos Veljkovic
WERDER.DE: Your team is made up of players from multiple top leagues – how is the spirit within your national side?
Milos Veljkovic: "Our team has great chemistry both on and off the field. We've all known each other for a long time - I've known some of them for ten years. That's why we’ve got that bond that keeps us together, which of course makes it all the easier for us on the pitch."
WERDER.DE: And who was the player to guide you most?
Milos Veljkovic: “Our captain Dusan Tadic was very important for us. He did brilliantly and was a great leader both on and off the pitch, and set the tone for us. I know a couple other players from the youth teams, where we won the U19 European Championships and U20 World Cup together. We’ve known each other for ages and I spent a lot of time with the lads.”
It’s been a long, hard season so far and now I need a break.Milos Veljkovic
WERDER.DE: You had a minor injury ahead of the tournament and missed the match against Leipzig, but luckily you recovered for the start of the group stage.
Milos Veljkovic: “Yes, I did have a minor knock. I missed the first few training sessions with the national team to recover. I was on the bench for the friendly against Bahrain and luckily was ready for the first World Cup game. It’s been a long, hard season so far and now I need a break.”
WERDER.DE: What are you going to do after this well-earned rest?
Milos Veljkovic: “I’ll probably restart on January 2nd – I’ll get the info on how the next few weeks will go in the coming days. For now, though, I’m going back to Serbia and to the little village where my parents live.”
Thank you for talking to us, Milos – have a great holiday!
