Dusan Vlahovic recently shared candid insights about his career, inspirations, and personal life during a meeting with young Juventus fans. As he recovers from injury and prepares to return to the pitch, Vlahovic took the opportunity to answer questions from children aged 6 to 11, offering a rare glimpse into his mindset and journey.
Early Beginnings and Childhood Choices
Vlahovic recounted his early days in sports, revealing, “I started playing football when I was 8 years old. Before that, I tried basketball at age 5. As a kid, I preferred playing football over studying, but my mother preferred school, so for a while I did both before focusing only on football.”
Idols and Inspirations
When asked about his football idols, Vlahovic was refreshingly honest. “I had many idols, certainly Cristiano Ronaldo. Del Piero? No, he was not my favourite. Messi? I liked watching him. Maradona? I never saw him play.” His admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo stands out, while his response about Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero-“No, he was not my favourite”-offers a surprising perspective for fans of the club.
Toughest Opponents and Memorable Goals
Vlahovic spoke about the defenders who have challenged him most, saying, “The strongest defender I’ve faced? Bremer, definitely. There have been many strong ones, but he bothered me the most when playing against him.” Reflecting on his career highlights, he added, “The goal I’m most attached to is the one in last year’s Coppa Italia final against Atalanta, and also my first in the Champions League. But in Rome, we won a trophy, my first with Juventus. In my first game in the Juventus shirt, I felt great happiness-it was an honor and a privilege. Being part of this club is something special and I will never forget those feelings.”
Handling Pressure and Pre-Match Rituals
On the subject of pressure, Vlahovic explained, “Before playing, I don’t feel the pressure. I try not to think about it or focus too much on the match. The closer you get, the more you do, but I don’t like to put the weight of the match on my shoulders, even if it doesn’t seem that way. I don’t have any superstitious gestures before games; sometimes I put on my right shin guard first, but I think it’s just a habit.” He also shared his approach to overcoming tough times: “You can do many things, but the most effective medicine is to score goals.”
Life in Italy and Off-the-Pitch Passions
Vlahovic expressed his affection for Italy and Turin, saying, “I like everything about Italy, it’s a beautiful country and I really feel good here, starting with the weather. Italy is definitely the most beautiful country in the world among those I’ve visited, except for my own. I like Turin, even if I can’t experience the city much. I enjoy the tranquility and the beauty.”
Dreams, Music, and Superpowers
The Juventus striker also indulged in some lighter questions from the young fans. “Like in video games, I would love to start from my own goal, dribble past everyone, and reach the opponent’s goal. The goalkeeper has a special role, but at the same time it’s very nice because he protects us all. Personally, I’ve never played as a goalkeeper, but maybe one day I’ll try.” When asked about his musical tastes, he replied, “I listen to rap, hip hop, and trap.” As for which superpower he would choose, Vlahovic said, “To fly, so everyone can see you and you can do whatever you want.”
