Stefan Bajcetic quickly rose through the ranks at Liverpool, and the same thing should have happened to him at international level, only because of injury.
The 18-year-old confirmed on Thursday that his season is over due to an adductor muscle injury, but vowed that failure “will only make me stronger physically and mentally.”
This was a blow for both Liverpool and the midfielder, who quickly became a key player in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield amid the turmoil in the position.
Back in January, when his breakthrough with the Reds was underway, the report said that Baisetic was in line for a call-up to the Spain under-21 national team with the aim of participating in the European Under-21 Championship this summer.
Manager Santi Denia, who worked with Baisetic at the U19 level, confirmed this when he announced his squad for the upcoming international break.
“Bajcetic was on the shortlist, now he is injured, but he was going to participate,” Denia told reporters, quoted by OKdiario.
There was even speculation that he could be considered as a main player of the Spanish national team, but Luis de la Fuente had no shortage of midfield options, including Rodri, Pedri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Ceballos.
Similarly, Thiago could not be considered due to injury, but having not played for the national team since July 2021, he may have already played his last game for Spain.
Bajcetic’s season has been interrupted: there are 12 games left, and due to injury he needs time, and it looks like he will almost miss the chance to represent Spain at the U21 level in the summer.
Nevertheless, the 18-year-old has something to think about when his rehabilitation begins, since he has achieved significant success at Liverpool and drew attention to this in the Spanish national team.
And, as he noted in his social media post: “I assure you, I will do my best to come back stronger than ever.”
