His WhatsApp was blowing up uncontrollably. His Instagram notifications were going off like Cape Canaveral’s control centre during rocket launch.
Merely moments had passed since Dejan Stankovic had made the announcement. The reaction was testament to the inimitable impact he’d made on the sport. One of beach soccer’s greatest-ever performers, one of its most-beloved characters, had revealed he was retiring.
Stankovic hit 16 goals in just six games to inspire Switzerland – on no less than their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ debut – to silver in 2009. He was unplayable again as they bagged bronze in 2021. Forty-seven goals in 27 appearances have Stankovic second on the competition’s all-time leading marksmen, shy only of the immortal Madjer.
Shortly after shaking the sport, Stankovic spoke to FIFA about his decision and career.
Dejan Stankovic: I’ve been playing for over 20 years and I’m getting old. I’ll be 40 in three weeks, and I feel like it’s time. It was a tough, tough decision. I’m emotional right now. But I feel it was the right thing to do for my family. After 21 years, there are so many emotions, feelings. I keep remembering all the games, the people I’ve met, the countries I visited. It was such a beautiful time. I feel like now is the moment to become not a legend, but an idol for the young ones. I’m very proud of my whole career. Now I feel like the pressure has gone and I can enjoy life with my family.
There are so, so many. But my first FIFA World Cup, in Dubai in 2009, was unique. Switzerland had never played at the World Cup. There were no expectations, there was no pressure. We were relaxed, we had such a good atmosphere in the squad. Nobody imagined we could reach the final, but from the first game until the end, we played together as a team. We had a good mix. The quarter-final against Russia stands out. We beat them for the first time at the World Cup. That was one of the greatest moments. I scored three goals and we knew it could be our tournament.
There are so, so many. When I started playing in 2002, there was Madjer, Alan, Benjamin, Buru, Leonov. As soon as I played against Amarelle, he was an idol to me. Then came players like Noel Ott, the Martins twins. A long time ago, I had the opportunity to play for a world selection against Brazil. There was Madjer, Amarelle, Alan and me. That was the starting four. That was a dream. At that time I never imagined I’d have the career I’ve had. I feel very proud and very grateful.
No, nothing. Absolutely nothing. If I could go back 20 years, I would do things the same way I did. I played in Italy, in Russia. I travelled a lot, met some really nice people, and speaking four or five languages makes me proud. I went to Dubai and Seychelles for the last two World Cups as a FIFA Legend. The fact that FIFA thought of me as a legend makes me really proud. It will all remain in my heart. Now I would really like to travel some more, but with my family, enjoying life.
I will remain in touch with beach soccer, for sure. It never was a hobby. It was more, it was a passion. I will be always in touch with that. I really hope that one day we become an Olympic sport. That’s something I really want. I will still follow beach soccer and, of course, the Swiss national team. Beach soccer will remain part of my life for as long as I live.
