2025-07-02, 02:52 PM - Word count:
To say the last season was not ideal would be an understatement. Many would call it a disaster. From first to fifth. To many Montreal fans it was understandably unacceptable. Some of that pressure fell to the new signing of Predrag. Most would say unjustifiably. He was a new player fresh from the Academy. Additionally he was playing in an off position. As a left winger instead of the traditional 9 role he was used to at Istanbul. Some would even defend him by saying that 7 goals and 4 assists was great for such a green player in a new league.
The critique to his playing ability was of no matter to Predrag. He knew how good he was and he knew how good the players around him were. What bothered him was the tactical results. Many games where the team should not have dropped points. He had been drafted to Montreal not only for his attacking ability but also for his tactical mind. In his opinion, both were failing him. After saying a few words to the staff and players, Predrag left Montreal to go back to Serbia and rest over the summer.
He had a lot on his mind and he knew that most of it was incorrect. He was far from a bad player or bad tactician. However, once bad thoughts enter a mind, it's difficult to get rid of them. He decided to spend most of his summer with his family. Hoping that would clear his mind. His father asked him how his contract was looking. Predrag told him how he singed an extension and how in a few seasons he'd be in the Majors with Schwartzwalder. Predrag kept trying to push his thoughts of football back deep into his mind but every conversation with his family was on the same topic.
One day, after lunch, Predrag excused himself and decided to go for a walk. He had a rough idea of where he wanted to go but no real plan once he got there. Walking through his home town was no longer the same. People recognized him, some asked to take a picture. It felt weird, in his mind he was still the same, so why would they want a picture? It was almost funny how the job of a football player held a weight over Predrag while the title had little prestige in his mind. After a few minutes of walking, Predrag finally made his way to the intended destination. The old football pitch. The once dead grass and deep mud were replaced with new turf. Nevertheless, he still found some familiar faces there. Young kids and old bastards, both playing something closer to rugby than football.
Like that game all those years ago, he decided to join them. Naturally, it wasn't even close. Predrag was a professional now with two seasons of experience. After about twenty minutes everyone just quit, it was also about the same time Predrag scored his seventh goal on his week foot. Predrag let out a good belly laugh. It had been a while since he did. Football felt fun again. He remembered that silly vow he made. How he'd "destroy" everyone's ideals and their icons of the sport. How he'd "take over" football out of spite not love. If it were not so funny, he'd cringe at his past. Yet, he also saw it as proof of growth. He knew just how much he had change in that time.
Predrag would eventually finish his vacation and he'd book a flight back to Montreal. This time, he'd walk back into the club with a smile on his face.
This dramatic retelling of events was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by Montreal United.
The critique to his playing ability was of no matter to Predrag. He knew how good he was and he knew how good the players around him were. What bothered him was the tactical results. Many games where the team should not have dropped points. He had been drafted to Montreal not only for his attacking ability but also for his tactical mind. In his opinion, both were failing him. After saying a few words to the staff and players, Predrag left Montreal to go back to Serbia and rest over the summer.
He had a lot on his mind and he knew that most of it was incorrect. He was far from a bad player or bad tactician. However, once bad thoughts enter a mind, it's difficult to get rid of them. He decided to spend most of his summer with his family. Hoping that would clear his mind. His father asked him how his contract was looking. Predrag told him how he singed an extension and how in a few seasons he'd be in the Majors with Schwartzwalder. Predrag kept trying to push his thoughts of football back deep into his mind but every conversation with his family was on the same topic.
One day, after lunch, Predrag excused himself and decided to go for a walk. He had a rough idea of where he wanted to go but no real plan once he got there. Walking through his home town was no longer the same. People recognized him, some asked to take a picture. It felt weird, in his mind he was still the same, so why would they want a picture? It was almost funny how the job of a football player held a weight over Predrag while the title had little prestige in his mind. After a few minutes of walking, Predrag finally made his way to the intended destination. The old football pitch. The once dead grass and deep mud were replaced with new turf. Nevertheless, he still found some familiar faces there. Young kids and old bastards, both playing something closer to rugby than football.
Like that game all those years ago, he decided to join them. Naturally, it wasn't even close. Predrag was a professional now with two seasons of experience. After about twenty minutes everyone just quit, it was also about the same time Predrag scored his seventh goal on his week foot. Predrag let out a good belly laugh. It had been a while since he did. Football felt fun again. He remembered that silly vow he made. How he'd "destroy" everyone's ideals and their icons of the sport. How he'd "take over" football out of spite not love. If it were not so funny, he'd cringe at his past. Yet, he also saw it as proof of growth. He knew just how much he had change in that time.
Predrag would eventually finish his vacation and he'd book a flight back to Montreal. This time, he'd walk back into the club with a smile on his face.
This dramatic retelling of events was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by Montreal United.
![[Image: wjZShPO.png]](https://i.imgur.com/wjZShPO.png)
