South American Profiles: Dejan Petkovic

Born  in Majdanpek, Serbia, Dejan Petkovic—or "Pet", as he is popularly called in Brazil—started his career at Radnicki Nis in 1988. After early success he was transferred to then European Cup (now the Champions League) holders Red Star Belgrade.

This is where he stayed until 1995. In that 1991 transfer year Red Star had also won the Intercontinental Cup and were considered by many the strongest club in the world.

The attacking midfielder then moved on to Spain where he moved between Sevilla, Racing Santander, and, more importantly, Real Madrid—winning the Spanish Championship in 1997.

That very year he was transferred to Brazilian club Vitoria where he spent two seasons and was very loved by local supporters, winning state championships. Italian club Venezia would be where he would spend 1999 and 2000 until returning to Brazilian soil to stay for good.

It would be the 2000 and 2001 seasons at Flamengo where Pet would play his best football, winning two state championships and one national. 

We must bear in mind that in 2000 and 2001 many players who play in Europe today were still in Brazil. One fairly popular one who comes to mind would be Ronaldinho Gaucho.

Also, to win not one, but two Rio State Championships, in 2000 and 2001 would have meant coming up against Vasco da Gama's Romario, who scored 41 goals in 46 matches.

It followed then that the vanquished Vasco bought Pet and actually sold Romario to Fluminense in 2002. However, Pet was never able to repeat his glorious Flamengo days and shifted between three of the top Rio clubs—even briefly playing in the Middle East— before an unsuccessful spell at Santos, ending up where he plays today—for Atletico Mineiro, for whom he has scored five goals in 23 matches this season.

One of the most memorable moments of Pet's career was scoring a free kick which gave Flamengo the Rio State title versus non other than Romario's Vasco, an arch Rio rival.

He was lifted into the air by supporters and this match is sited by Rio supporters as one of the most emotional ones in the history of the derby.

Pet still got a golden ball award from Placar, a Brazilian football magazine, for his excellent play in the 2004 and 2005 Brazilian Championships. In 2006 he made more history, scoring Fluminense's 1000th goal in Brazilian championships versus Cruzeiro.

Amongst all of these memorable moments Pet has said that his favourite club which he holds close to his heart is Vitoria, the first Brazilian club to hire him, where he won emotional state championships and was an idol to his South Eastern Brazil followers.

Pet played for Yugoslavia in 1995 and 1998 but his transfer to Vitoria from Real Madrid may have been behind him not being called to the 1998 World Cup squad. By the looks of things it does not seem that he regrets it much.