Milan Aleksic, a summer signing for Sunderland, has received high praise from his national team coach. Serbia’s manager, Dragan Stojkovic, has compared the 19-year-old midfielder to Argentine great Lionel Messi. Aleksic completed his move to Sunderland on deadline day and soon after earned a senior international call-up.
Stojkovic, who has been following Aleksic’s progress for some time, noted in May that the young player’s ball control and vision were reminiscent of Messi’s skills. He remarked, “Aleksic, only 18, has shown phenomenal ball control, vision, and passing. He’s already in our junior squads, and it’s just a matter of time before he debuts for the senior team.”
Stojkovic later added, “Aleksic has demonstrated qualities that I find impressive. Age aside, he represents the future and deserves a chance to be among the best.”
Aleksic joined Sunderland from FK Radnicki 1923 for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract. Last season, he scored five goals and provided ten assists in 31 appearances for his previous club.
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman commented on Aleksic’s arrival, saying, “Milan is a highly talented young player on the verge of national team selection. We value his creativity and versatility, though we’ll need to be patient as he adjusts to his new environment. Despite the need for patience, his talent and progress suggest he could become a significant asset for Sunderland. Bringing in a player like Milan highlights our club’s growth and our commitment to developing talent at the Academy of Light.”
