Dušan Vlahović ( Part 2)

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5 Apr 2024

Dušan Vlahović ( Part 2)

Media reports extensively covered Arsenal's pursuit of Vlahović, but on his 22nd birthday, 28 January 2022, he surprised many by signing for Juventus instead. The deal, worth €70 million with an additional €10 million in performance-related bonuses, made him the most expensive transfer in the Serie A winter window. Fiorentina's president, Rocco Comisso, hinted at prior agreements with Juventus, suggesting that Vlahović's entourage had already made secret arrangements with the club months before.

Choosing to wear the prestigious number 7 jersey, previously donned by Cristiano Ronaldo, Vlahović made an immediate impact at Juventus. He debuted as a starter on 6 February, scoring the opening goal in a 2–0 victory against Hellas Verona. His UEFA Champions League debut on 22 February against Villarreal was equally impressive, as he scored after only 33 seconds, setting a record as the fastest starting debutant and becoming the second-youngest Juventus debutant to score in the Champions League. Just four days later, he notched his first brace for Juventus in a 3–2 away victory over Empoli.

Throughout the season, Vlahović showcased his scoring prowess, becoming the second-youngest non-Italian player to score 50 goals in Serie A with his late equalizer against Bologna on 16 April. Despite Juventus' loss to Inter in the Coppa Italia Final on 11 May, Vlahović finished as the competition's top scorer with four goals. He continued his impressive form by becoming the highest-scoring Serbian player in Serie A history alongside Dejan Stanković after scoring his 24th goal of the season against Lazio.
Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Vlahović changed his jersey number from 7 to 9. Despite a difficult start due to hamstring injuries, he made a strong comeback, scoring Juventus' goal in a 1–1 home draw against Nantes in the Europa League play-off round after recovering midway through the season.

Vlahović demonstrated his talent at various youth levels of the Serbian national team. He started his journey with the under-15 team, where he showcased his scoring ability by netting a hat-trick against the Czech Republic on 16 April 2015. Following this success, he was called up to the under-16 squad later in 2015, making his debut against Poland on 27 October 2015.
In August 2016, Vlahović received another call-up, this time to the under-19 squad for the Stevan Vilotić memorial tournament. He made an immediate impact, debuting in the opening match against the United States and scoring a goal against France in the second match. His contributions helped Serbia secure victory in the tournament, and Vlahović's performances earned him a nomination for the most talented player of the tournament. These experiences laid the foundation for his future success with the senior national team.

Vlahović's journey with the Serbian national team has been notable for his impactful performances and prolific goal-scoring. He made his senior team debut on 11 October 2020, in a UEFA Nations League game against Hungary. Just a month later, on 18 November, he scored his first international goal in a convincing 5–0 win over Russia in the Nations League.
Following this breakthrough, Vlahović continued to excel on the international stage, particularly during the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His four goals, including a crucial brace against Azerbaijan on 12 October 2021, played a significant role in Serbia's qualification for the tournament. Notably, Serbia secured qualification at the top of their group, ahead of former European champions Portugal, after defeating them 2–1 away from home.

Vlahović's impact for Serbia continued at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he was selected in the squad. He featured in group stage matches against Brazil and Switzerland, scoring against the latter in a close 3–2 loss. Despite his contributions, Serbia finished bottom of their group in the tournament. Nonetheless, Vlahović's performances highlighted his importance to the Serbian national team and showcased his talent on the global stage.
Vlahović's playing style reflects that of a modern and versatile striker, combining physical prowess with technical skill and a keen eye for goal. He is adept at operating in central areas as well as the inside channels, where he can pick up the ball and maintain possession effectively. His strength allows him to hold up the ball under pressure and create opportunities for himself and his teammates.

One of Vlahović's key strengths is his ability to turn and dribble past defenders, often using his physicality and dribbling skills to evade markers and create space. He is also a potent finisher in the penalty box, known for his clinical ability to convert chances into goals. His positioning and movement in and around the penalty area make him a constant threat to opposition defenses.
In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Vlahović is also capable of contributing to the build-up play, using his ball-carrying ability and dribbling skills to advance the ball and create opportunities for his team. His all-around skills make him a versatile and dynamic striker, capable of making an impact in various facets of the game.

Given his playing style and goal-scoring ability, it's no surprise that Vlahović has drawn comparisons to some of the game's top strikers, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, and Jamie Vardy. These comparisons speak to his talent, versatility, and potential to become one of the top forwards in world football.
It's interesting to learn about Vlahović's interests and influences outside of football. His admiration for Zlatan Ibrahimović and Stevan Jovetić suggests that he looks up to experienced and skilled forwards who have made significant impacts in the game.
His interest in Moto GP shows that he enjoys following other sports and perhaps finds inspiration or enjoyment in the high-speed and adrenaline-fueled world of motorcycle racing.
Additionally, his involvement in basketball since 2004 highlights his versatility as an athlete and suggests that he values the physical and mental challenges of different sports. This diverse sporting background could contribute to his well-rounded skill set and athleticism on the football field.