Teplice winger Matěj Radosta has earned a senior call-up to the Czech Republic national team ahead of their upcoming Nations League fixture against Croatia, marking a milestone after spending his entire professional career with Teplice.
Radosta, a 25-year-old winger, stands out as an unexpected inclusion in the latest national team squad. Having never featured for the Czech Republic Under-21 side, his selection caught both observers and the player himself by surprise.
The Journey to the National Team
Speaking about the moment he discovered his selection, Radosta admitted he initially struggled to process the news. National team coach Santi Denia explained the rationale behind the call-up, praising the player’s profile, tactical utility, and defensive work rate. “He has a good profile, he fits into our vision. He knows how to play one-on-one, he is fast, he helps in defense,” Denia stated.
Arriving at the team hotel near Vyšehrad in Prague, Radosta reflected on his path to the senior squad. Having made his top-flight league debut on March 8, 2019, he has made all 140 of his league appearances exclusively for Teplice. During the current season, he has featured in all nine of his club’s league matches, contributing two goals and three assists.
Historical precedent highlights the rarity of his achievement. In the modern era, only a select few Teplice academy products have reached the senior national team: current club director Štěpán Vachoušek, Slavia Prague center-back Štěpán Chaloupek, and defender Michal Lüftner, who earned a single cap against Malta in 2017.
Mental Preparation and Routine
Beyond his physical output on the pitch, Radosta attributes much of his recent success to rigorous mental conditioning. Approximately two years ago, following a recommendation from a friend, he began working with a mental coach—a shift he describes as a turning point in his career.
Radosta maintains a daily routine of morning and evening meditation, alongside keeping a journal to track his performances, mistakes, and areas for improvement. He brought his journal with him to the national team training camp, noting down his initial thoughts and feelings upon walking into the team hotel for the first time.
“I learned to work with my head, which was quite possibly a turning point in my career,” Radosta said, emphasizing that his preparation heavily relies on visualization and breathing exercises to stay grounded and focused under pressure.
Radosta and the Czech Republic squad prepare to face Croatia in the Nations League, with the newcomer looking to translate his domestic form onto the international stage.
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