In the winter transfer window our team was supplemented with a striker - Aleksa Marusic, who has already made a name for himself at the Turkish training camp by scoring a goal. Aleksa is sure: to succeed, young players need to spend less time with gadgets and more time on the pitch. “Perseverance, hard work and love for the game is the key to a professional career,” says the striker, who now dreams of new victories and trophies together with Sheriff.

- Alexa, you joined the team at the Turkish training camp. What are your first impressions of the team and training?
- From the first days I was accepted as “my own”, and this is very important for adaptation. The club showed interest in me, so I was happy to sign the agreement and joined the training camp. The atmosphere in the team is great, the guys are focused on the result, and it can be felt from the first day.

- You have already scored a goal in the yellow and black uniform. How important it was for you to start with a goal?
- For a striker a goal is always the best way to make a statement. It adds confidence and sets the right tone at the start. I hope to keep this performance in the Moldovan Super League.

- Tell us about your first steps in soccer. What role did FC Sutjeska play in your development as a player?
- “Sutjeska” is my home club, it was there that I took my first steps in professional soccer. Plus my father, Milovan Marusic, played for this team for many years. For our family, Sutjeska is not just a club, but a part of history.

- Did you follow in your father's footsteps?
- I think so, although he never pressured me to choose a profession. He always said: “Be yourself and never give up”. That advice became my inner principle.

- It's interesting that your father was a defender and you chose the position of a striker. Why is that?
- My father was known for his tough game in defense, but I was drawn to attack since childhood. Perhaps he was not as technical as me (laughs), so I decided to play at the other team's goal.

- How did he react to your move to Sheriff?
- He was very happy! He knows well about Sheriff, because in the past our clubs have crossed each other in European cups. In Montenegro, “Sheriff” is a household name, so he is proud of my move.

- You played in the championships of Macedonia, Serbia and Germany. How did these stages influence your development?
- Each championship has left its mark. In Macedonia I had my most productive season, scoring 17 goals. Germany was a challenge, especially after the injury at Magdeburg. It was the hardest break of my career, but it taught me patience and perseverance.

- How did you manage to recover from the injury?
- The German medics did everything at the highest level, but the main thing is my own work on myself. I came back stronger and ready for new challenges.

- Last season you became the top scorer in the Macedonian league. What is your secret?
- There are no secrets - it is the result of hard work, discipline and belief in myself.

- What advice would you give to young players dreaming of a professional career?
- Less time with gadgets and more time on the soccer field. As kids we played in the yard all the time, and that's where a player's character is formed. Perseverance and hard work are the key to success.

- What goals do you set for yourself in Sheriff?
- I want to benefit the team, score as many goals as possible and win trophies together with Sherif. I also hope to successfully prove myself in European cups.

- Wish something to our fans...
- I feel the support even at the start of my journey here and I want to say thank you! The fans are our twelfth player and I hope that we will celebrate many victories together.

FC Sheriff Press Service