The Bosnian and Herzegovinian national football team has qualified for the World Cup, and with less than a month until the tournament begins, there has been considerable debate over whether Red Star Belgrade player Rade Krunić will return to the national team.
In the end, according to the list by Serbia's coach Sergej Barbarez, it became clear that Krunić would not play in this World Cup, despite his previous appearances for the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Recall that last summer, following a significant earthquake in a neighboring country, a match against Zenit was held, during which Rade Krunić sang the Serbian national anthem. Rade Bogdanović recently spoke to "Klix.ba" about this issue.
- It has always been the case that players of Serbian nationality have been part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina team, and it likely will continue to be so. Serbian players, if we consider it by national basis, must assert themselves in certain clubs to play. I know Rade Krunić is one of the best players at Red Star and that he is not playing for the national team. The anthem issue was a problem, but it was his stance and his choice. It is certain that no one told him he couldn't play because he is Serbian, Bogdanović said to Klix.ba.
This controversy is a perfect example of how sport can bring up deep political divides. Will Krunić ever be able to bridge this gap and play for Bosnia and Herzegovina again? The answer seems to lie in the willingness of both sides to look beyond their differences.