Gudelj is not just different - he's the best

Looking at Nemanja Gudelj and especially reading about him, you quickly realize he's not your typical footballer. Alright, he does have a celebrity girlfriend and expensive cars, but he's also a vegan and a fighter for animal rights. But above all, he's an outstanding footballer.

"I started my career in the Netherlands and developed it in several countries such as China, Portugal and now Spain. It is a vibrant experience living so many cultures. One of the things I value the most is that I speak Serbian, Spanish, Dutch, English, German and a little bit of Chinese."

The 30-year-old midfielder, who can also fill in at centre-back, joined Sevilla in 2019 and has grown to be a bit of a cult hero for fans at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. This season, he's the player with the most minutes played and has been a rare consistent performer in what's proving a turbulent campaign. Former coach Julen Lopetegui used him sporadically, but the Serbia international became one of the pillars of the team in recent months.

"I came to Sevilla to be a starter. I want to play as many games as possible. I know I haven't been considered a starter all the time, but it's also important to be that player number 12 who helps the team. That's how football is. But I don't feel good on the bench. I become nervous, and I annoy the players around me. But in the end, we are family, and we have to go to war together."

Even when Lopetegui was dismissed and replaced by Jorge Sampaoli, Gudelj remained a first-team regular. The Argentinean coach uses him in the heart of the defence, and the influential player is repaying the confidence with crucial goals and clearances. The rocket he scored against city rivals Real Betis last weekend was particularly pleasing.

In total, the former Ajax, Tianjin and Guangzhou man played 1,530 minutes for Los Nervionenses this season. His steady performances are a good omen for the Serbian national team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. National coach Dragan Stojkovic trusts the player who spent his development years in the Netherlands, the country where hiis father also played and coached professionally.

Coming from a thoroughly sporting family, Nemanja's sister Vanja, a tennis player and nutritionist, influenced her brother not to eat meat.

"I don't eat meat or fish, and I have improved my recovery time after games. And I haven't been injured either."