They play for rival teams, who are both vying for Isuzu UTE A-League honours. But Adelaide United’s young gun Luka Jovanovic has a mentor in Western Sydney Wanderers star Milos Ninkovic.
Jovanovic has burst onto the scene with Adelaide this season, the 17-year-old scoring two goals in just 295 minutes of action to scoop the Isuzu UTE A-League Player of the Month for March.
The highly rated teenager, who is part of an exciting crop of Adelaide youngsters alongside the likes of Nestory Irankunda and Johnny Yull, is at the beginning of his footballing journey.
Two-time Johnny Warren Medallist and former Serbia international Ninkovic is in the twilight of his, so he is passing on his wisdom to a player, who is also eligible to represent the Balkan nation ranked 25th in the world.
“He’s been very friendly,” Jovanovic revealed in an interview with the Serbian Football Scout.
“We regularly speak on the phone about football-related matters and he gives me advice.”
He is a player who idolised Cristiano Ronaldo growing up, but is now trying to emulate three other attacking stars of European football.
“I’ve been watching a lot of (Juventus striker Dusan) Vlahovic, (Fulham and Serbia talisman Aleksandar) Mitrovic and (Real Madrid superstar Karim) Benzema. I try to learn from the way they play, for obvious reasons.”
Jovanovic can play for Serbia and Australia as his father, Srdjan was born abroad and played professional before relocating Down Under.
The Reds forward, who in February kicked off the NPLM South Australia season with a four-goal haul for Adelaide’s National Premier League outfit, is a regular visitor to Serbia, where his mother’s family were also born.
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It is a country that remains close to his heart.
“I’ve been a fan of the team since birth, practically. We always watch the games and all of us love it,” said Jovanovic, who grew up supporting Serbian powerhouse Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade).
“To represent my nation at A-level and feature in the Champions League. Something I’ve always dreamed of, watching those legendary Champions League nights.”
He added: “I’m not sure where football will take me, but I believe that if I remain level-headed and work hard, I’ll be successful. It all depends on me.”
Jovanovic, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2020, meaning he missed the entire 2021 campaign, has forged a unique pathway to Adelaide United via FK Beograd (Under-6s), Croydon Kings (U7s -U11s), Metrostars (U12s) and Football South Australia’s NTC program (U13s-U14s).
