Vasilije Markovic stands on the verge of his senior international debut for Austria, with national team head coach Ralf Rangnick signaling that the 18-year-old rising star could feature in Sunday’s home match against Kosovo. Regarded as one of the premier young talents in Austrian football, the midfielder’s rapid ascent has brought him into the senior setup during the current UEFA Nations League window.
An Impending Senior Debut
During Austria’s opening fixture against Israel, Markovic did not make the matchday squad, sidelined alongside Christian Zawieschitzky, Felix Bacher, and Max Wöber due to maximum squad size restrictions. However, Rangnick indicated that the situation will change when Austria hosts Kosovo on Sunday. “He will pretty much certainly be in the squad on Sunday and, if at all possible, I would like to play him,” Rangnick stated, opening the door for a milestone appearance for the FK Austria Wien shooting star.
Rangnick on Tactical Fit and Development
Rangnick praised the teenager's physical attributes and defensive work rate, noting that Markovic fits the team's tactical philosophy perfectly. “Especially in the game against the ball, he is made for our style of play,” Rangnick said of the running and pressing-heavy teenager. While acknowledging that Markovic still has room for growth when in possession, the coach expressed confidence in the player’s trajectory. “The boy is 18. Based on the experience I’ve had as a coach over the last 25 years, if the attitude, readiness, and mentality are right, such players can still learn those things.”
International Eligibility Implications
Born with roots that also made him eligible for Serbia, Markovic’s involvement in an official competitive fixture carries significant long-term implications for his international career. Under current FIFA regulations, a player becomes tied to a national association for three years upon making their first official competitive appearance. After a player appears in four A-internationals in official competition, a switch of association becomes entirely impossible.
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