Remarkably, the Juventus striker spoke out against the rumours that were swirling in Serbian media, suggesting he has been having an affair with Ana Cakic, and that is the reason he has made just one substitute appearance in Qatar so far.
The 22-year-old came off the bench against Brazil for Serbia, but was not even brought on in the 3-3 draw with Cameroon, but he has made it clear that an alleged affair is absolutely not the reason for his lack of game time.
‘I am sorry to have to start the press conference in the World Cup this way, but I have to talk about it because this is my name being bandied about,’ he said
‘What we all read and hear about, there’s no need to comment on something so absurd. Evidently these people are bored and have nothing better to do because they are frustrated or angry, but working against the national interest of the team at the moment is obviously their main job right now.
‘We are more united than ever and the atmosphere in the squad has never been better. These stories are ridiculous, I just want to protect my name and my integrity, so I will take legal action if necessary.
‘It’s not the first time this has happened, I would’ve hoped that people would support the team before such an important match, but instead we are forced to talk about things that have nothing to do with it.
‘These are people with empty CVs who achieved nothing, but they will certainly not get extra attention off my name. They have always been small people and prove it day by day.’
In an explanation for his lack of minutes, he said: ‘I didn’t play because I was not ready enough, but I feel better now and am completely concentrated on the next match.’
Cakic also addressed the rumours on social media, saying that she has been busy looking after her son who has been in hospital in recent weeks.
‘We’ve survived worse, believe me,’ she wrote. ‘Thanks to all the journalists who ignored me and didn’t publish anything about Tadija’s health condition, and the other people who think it’s best to attack a wounded lion got a little carried away, because the pack is defending it! Thank you!’
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