Popovic draws the line as young star chooses Greece over Socceroos

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic once faced the same fork in the road as many of his players, forced to confront the question of his dual nationalities and split loyalties.

Popovic was in his late teens, and had been offered the chance to sign for Croatia’s biggest club, Hajduk Split. He was told that if things went well, the door could open for him to play for the Croatian national team one day.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic on Thursday with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Sport Anika Wells, and Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

By that stage, Popovic was already playing for Australia’s youth national teams. Ultimately, he chose not to sign for Hajduk – and he also chose to stay true to the country of his birth, rather than his heritage, for one simple reason.

“I couldn’t see myself not playing for Australia,” he said. “Circumstances are different for everyone … but any player that wants to play for Australia, I welcome all of them.

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