Role models, memories and much more: ten facts about Aleksandar Stanković | OneFootball

Born in Milano on 3 August 2005, Aleksandar Stanković grew up with a love for the Nerazzurri colours, watching his father Dejan up close as he won everything with Inter in the early 2000s. Joining the Nerazzurri youth academy at the age of 12, Aleksandar played for every Inter youth side before reaching the Primavera, where he was also named captain under coach Cristian Chivu. In the summer of 2024, he moved to Swiss side Lucerne, where he played his first professional season and enjoyed an impressive campaign. The following season, Stanković joined Club Brugge, where he won the Belgian league title and made his Champions League debut. In total, Aleksandar made 54 appearances and scored nine goals for the Bruges-based Nerazzurri before returning to Inter. In 2025, he also made his debut for the Serbian national team, earning eight caps so far.

A FAMILY PASSION

There wasn't one specific moment when Stanković realised he wanted to become a footballer: young Aleksandar grew up following in the footsteps of his father Dejan and his older brothers Stefan and Filip, both of whom also came through the Nerazzurri youth academy. For the 2005-born midfielder, there was never any other path - from an early age, his dream was to become a footballer.

FIRST MEMORY

Aleksandar grew up celebrating Inter’s successes on the San Siro pitch alongside his family. Many memories shaped Stanković’s childhood, but one stands above the rest: the night Inter lifted the Champions League trophy in Madrid in 2010, the greatest achievement of his father Dejan’s career. This is Stanković’s first clear memory, he wasn't even five years old.

A SPECIAL PITCH

Stanković started playing football from a young age alongside his brothers who played wherever they could. Aleksandar would team up with his father Deki against Stefan and Filip, although sometimes their battles moved away from the family garden and into a very special setting. Dejan would take the boys to the Appiano Gentile Training Centre, and after training the brothers would get the chance to play on the pitches usually reserved for the Nerazzurri first team. Now, Stanković will be able to return to the Inter Training Centre.

AN UNFORGETTABLE MATCH

28 November 2010: Inter faced Parma at San Siro on matchday 14 of the Serie A season. The Nerazzurri won 5-2, and while Cambiasso and Thiago Motta were also on the scoresheet, the star of the show was Dejan Stanković, who scored a hat-trick. Aleksandar was left amazed by his father’s outstanding performance: of all the times he has watched Inter play at San Siro, this match stayed with him forever.

THE CONNECTION WITH MILANO

Aleksandar was born and raised in Milano: from 2005 until 2024, when he moved to Lucerne, his entire life was built around the Lombard capital. Stanković now represents Serbia, just like his father did, but Milano has always been his home.

ROLE MODELS

Without a doubt, Aleksandar’s all-time favourite player is his father Dejan, the example he has followed since childhood. However, if Stanković had to choose a player whose style of play inspires him, he would pick Hakan Calhanoglu, a source of inspiration and now also his teammate.

IN THREE WORDS

Which words would Aleksandar use to describe himself on and off the pitch? He chose: funny, serious, and professional.

FREE TIME

When he is not busy with football, Stanković spends his time with family and friends. One of his biggest passions is video games.

MUSIC

A fan of rap music, Aleksandar’s favourite artist is Shiva, an Italian rapper born in 1999, who also shares his love for Inter.