Vasilije Markovic, 18 years, four months, and 15 days old, officially made his debut in the senior squad’s 3-1 victory over Kosovo. The appearance marks a definitive step for the Vienna-born player, who has dismissed lingering questions regarding a potential switch to represent Serbia.
A Landmark Debut in Vienna
The 68th minute of the match against Kosovo served as the stage for Markovic’s entry into senior international football. Playing in front of a home crowd of 47,000, the teenager described the experience as an emotional milestone. “It gave me goosebumps immediately, I was full of emotion, I didn’t even know what to do,” Markovic said. He noted that the sheer scale of the atmosphere at the stadium made the debut particularly impactful.
Clarifying International Allegiance
While FIFA regulations allow players to switch national teams before they have competed in four competitive senior matches, Markovic indicated that his decision is final. When asked if there remained any ongoing dialogue or consideration regarding the Serbian national team, the midfielder was succinct. “No, not really. Everything is cleared up,” he stated.
Historical Standing Under Ralf Rangnick
Markovic’s debut at 18 years, four months, and 15 days establishes him as the youngest player to feature for the senior Austrian team during the tenure of manager Ralf Rangnick. Historical records for the Second Republic indicate that such an early entry into the A-team is rare. Only six players—David Alaba, Hans Buzek, Yusuf Demir, Valentino Lazaro, Marcel Sabitzer, and Aleksandar Dragovic—have debuted for Austria at a younger age.
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