Vasilije Kostov (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
Vasilije Kostov, one of Crvena zvezda’s top youth prospects, has officially debuted for the first team. After a breakout season in the UEFA Youth League, Europe is watching.
Crvena zvezda celebrated their eighth consecutive Serbian SuperLiga title with a 2–0 victory over OFK Beograd—and in the process, introduced fans to the club’s next rising star: Vasilije Kostov.
Kostov, widely considered one of the brightest talents in the Crvena zvezda academy, finally made his first-team debut after a standout campaign in the UEFA Youth League, where he scored against Barcelona, Stuttgart, and Milan. His memorable panenka against Barça at the Marakana is already etched into the memory of Crvena zvezda's supporters.
From youth hero to senior squad
Recognizing his potential, head coach Barak Bakhar and his staff fast-tracked Kostov into the senior setup earlier this year. He joined the team for winter training in Antalya, where he trained alongside fellow youth standouts Strahinja Stojović and Sava Radanović, and impressed the coaching staff with his attitude and skill.
Kostov was expected to debut sooner, but international duty kept him out of the match against OFK Beograd ten days earlier—when teammates Uroš Tegeltija and Ognjen Teofilović were handed their first appearances.
First glimpse of a special talent
Yesterday, Kostov finally got his moment—around 15 minutes on the pitch, and he made them count. Within minutes, he launched a long-range strike from 20 meters, narrowly missing the target and drawing gasps from the crowd. Goalkeeper Balša Popović could only watch as the ball sailed just wide.
The move underlined one thing: Kostov does not fear the spotlight.
A future in Europe?
His debut brought back memories of Andrija Maksimović’s first appearance, which came in the high-pressure setting of the Eternal Derby—where he made an assist and showed he belonged at the top.
Kostov’s next challenge is to build on this opportunity. With Crvena zvezda set to enter Champions League qualifying from the second round, the domestic league could offer him more regular minutes early next season. If his performances match expectations, Kostov could quickly become a target for major European clubs—just as Maksimović did before him.
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Written by Klemen Kos , football journalist with 20 years of experience.
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