[Histoire de mondial] Coupe du monde : l’incroyable parcours de Dejan Stanković, qui a joué trois tournois avec trois sélections différentes
The story of Dejan Stanković remains one of the most unique in modern international football. An elegant midfielder, renowned for his technique and vision of the game, the former Lazio and Inter Milan player left his mark on Serie A, but also on World Cup history through a completely unique domestic career.
As the political upheavals in the Balkans unfolded, his international career was directly influenced by the transformation of his country. It was a rare trajectory, one that saw him evolve under several national identities throughout his career.
His debut with Yugoslavia in 1998
At a very young age, Stanković was already making his mark on the world stage. In 1998, he was selected to represent Yugoslavia at the World Cup in France. While he integrated well into the squad, he didn't play a major role in the tournament, as his team was eliminated in the round of 16 by the Netherlands (2-1). This first international experience, however, proved pivotal for the player, who was then rapidly rising to prominence.
Serbia and Montenegro in 2006
Eight years later, the geopolitical context had profoundly changed. Yugoslavia had disappeared, giving way to Serbia and Montenegro. Stanković then participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany with this new team.
But the tournament was short-lived for his team: the team finished last in their group without scoring a single point, in a particularly disappointing campaign.
Serbia enters history in 2010
After another political separation, Serbia became an independent nation. Stanković then played for Serbia. In 2010, he participated in his third World Cup, in South Africa, wearing the captain's armband and the number 10.
This participation symbolizes the culmination of an extraordinary international career: that of a player who has been selected for three different World Cup teams, without ever changing his personal nationality, but undergoing the transformations of his country.
Dejan Stanković's career remains a rare case, directly linked to the recent history of the Balkans. Few players can boast of having played in three World Cups under three different national teams, without transfers or voluntary changes of national team.
An unusual record that illustrates both the player's sporting longevity and the political upheavals that have redrawn the map of world football.
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