Varaždin striker, 24-year-old Aleksa Latković from Cetinje, played only one match in the Montenegrin League, six years ago in the Lovćen jersey, before continuing his football career and affirmation in Croatia.
There is a bit of symbolism here, the parallel is unusual - his only match in the CFL was against Rudar and its then-forward Radomir Đalović, now the coach of Rijeka, whose team he defeated on Saturday - with a goal in the 20th round of the Croatian Football League (HNL).
With Latković's goal, Varaždin overthrew the leader (1:0) and saddened the Montenegrin coach, who can be consoled by the incredible fact that both competitors in the title fight, Dinamo and Hajduk, were defeated in the last round.
So, Rijeka is still in first place, and Varaždin is in a tie for fourth place and dreaming of European dreams. All with Aleksa Latković, who opened the spring half-season with two goals in two matches, as he also scored against Gorica in the 19th round.
- I've been in Varaždin for four months now, I've gotten used to it, my teammates have accepted me very well, the environment is great, everything an athlete could want. With that, it seems, comes good games and goals - he tells "Vijesti".
Where did Aleksa Latković come from in Varaždin - to overthrow the leader, fight for a place in Europe? Where did he come from in Croatia?
His football journey has been a bit "under the radar", but talent, quality, along with dedication and hard work, sooner or later come to the fore. In Montenegro, Croatia, Germany - wherever.
- I grew up in Lovćen, played as a teenager, we were relegated to the Second League but we managed to come back quickly in 2018, with a playoff win against Kom. That fall in the first league I played one match, I was fighting for minutes, and I remember it was against Rudar. I assisted Marko Đurović for a goal, but we scored 3:1, I remember it was Đalović who scored for Rudar - he recalls.
He met with Đalović again on Saturday...
- We didn't see each other after the match, he was probably in his movie, I was in mine, but we met a few times before in Zagreb, talking about football. His advice is interesting, he's doing very well as a coach now and I wish him the best of luck - says Latković.
Back to 2018...
- At the end of autumn, after that debut in the Montenegrin League, I went for a trial in Osijek. Thanks to my then club, Lovćen, for allowing me to take such a long leave in the middle of the season. At the beginning of 2019, I signed for Osijek. It wasn't easy for me at first, a big change, both football-related and otherwise, I left home for the first time, but since the summer everything has been easier. I was the first in the first team, trained and played games for Osijek II, scored a few goals, and then the league was suspended due to the coronavirus.
The following season, 2020/21, was the season of affirmation for Aleksa Latković, a striker who can cover all positions in the attack - from offensive midfielder to both wings...
- I played the entire season as a regular in the Croatian Second League for Osijek II, scoring goals, and then at the end of the season I got a call from Rudes and I went to Zagreb.
Two new second-league seasons, and then a first-league season with Rudes. Latković played 2023 games in the HNL in 24/29 and scored three goals. However, relegation followed...
- It's a shame because we didn't play badly at all, but we were inexperienced and young, the results didn't follow us - he points out.
Rudeš was relegated, but didn't have to wait long to return to the Croatian National League. Just two rounds of the new season in August and they were on their way to Varaždin.
Aleksa's team is the hit of the season, right next to the "big four", tied on points with fourth-placed Osijek, and defeated Rijeka, and in the first part of the season, Hajduk.
- We are doing well, I hope it will last. The league is balanced, except for Dinamo, which stands out for its quality, but the fact that Dinamo is third in the table speaks volumes about how unpredictable the league is. If you ask me who will be the champion - I don't know how to answer. We are preparing, we are taking it match by match, now we are visiting Hajduk in Split. We have a great atmosphere in the team, we are dreaming of European dreams - Latković points out.
- As for me, I believe that these goals, which I scored in both spring matches, will help me settle in. I have a contract with Varaždin until 2027, we'll see what happens next, but this club is a real springboard - concludes the fast-footed Cetinje native.
We played the best at Prosinečki.
For six games at the start of the Croatian Football League last season, while playing for Rudeš, Aleksa Latković was coached by Robert Prosinecki, the current coach of Montenegro.
- He led us for six rounds, we didn't have any results, neither then nor after him, but we played the best and most beautifully against Prosinečki. We also had a great atmosphere in the team, we dropped points easily. It was unforgettable to work with the legend.
A year and a half later, Latković hopes for a new collaboration with Robi.
- Playing for the Montenegrin national team would be a dream come true, I hope that day will come. I played for the younger national teams, playing for the senior team would be the crowning glory.
Bonus video:
