RIYADH: Vladimir Stojkovic, goalkeeper for Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha Club, wants to see the league become one of the world’s top five in the next 10 years.
Speaking on Arab News’ “The Mayman Show” podcast from the club’s Al-Majma’ah pitch, the 40-year-old Serbian shot-stopper pointed out the league’s increasing strength as more big-name players – such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar – make their mark in Saudi football.
While he has only been in the Kingdom for just over two years, he has noticed the increasing global interest in the league and observed a shift in attitudes toward a growing affection for it.
He said top players from the national team of his home country had started joining the league, a situation that helped motivate him to elevate his game to the highest level, especially when playing against the best.
The increased competition made matches more intense, competitive, and enjoyable, he added.
Before achieving an historic win with his club in the 2022 King’s Cup competition, Stojkovic had played for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, FC Nantes in France, Vitesse in the Netherlands, Sporting of Portugal, Getafe in Spain, Wigan Athletic and Nottingham Forest in England, Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, Ergotelis in Greece, and Maccabi Haifa in Israel.
He began playing football at the age of 13, and from that point onward, his entire life revolved around the sport.
He noted that the only challenge he faced as a kid was occasionally being late for other activities because he was always playing football, from early morning until late at night.
His family had always inspired him to pursue a career in football. His father and brother played as goalkeepers, his mom was an athlete for the former Yugoslavian national team, and his nephew now plays in goal for Saudi side Al-Faisaly.
Stojkovic said: “It is a difficult life; it is not easy like people think — just go on the pitch and shoot the ball and that’s it. If you play for a big club, the expectation is big, 3 million people want something from you … and every day, a new challenge.
“If you are at a big club, you have pressure, pressure, and pressure and also they expect from you something different because you are a foreigner, and wherever you go you have to be different and play good,” he added.
When playing for Partizan, rival of Red Star Belgrade, he lived under 24/7 police protection.
“I woke up in the morning, and the police guys were waiting for me outside. They would go with me to training and after training, bring me back or accompany me to a restaurant. They had to go with me, to follow me, 24 hours,” he said.
But now he is enjoying his time in the Kingdom and taking every opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia and sample its local cuisine.
“Saudi has everything. I’m happy here because I have very good competition, and play in a very good league,” Stojkovic added.
On his secret to achieving success, he said: “You must have passion. You have to be crazy for the football and never give up. After that, the way to the top is long, you have to survive. You need to keep on fighting.
“You never know when someone will see your talent, maybe at school or maybe on the park.”
