At just 19 years old, Antonio Rajić has already lived moments that many young goalkeepers can only dream of. A regular for Croatia’s U19 national teams, Rajić has now taken a major step in his career by signing a professional contract with GNK Dinamo Zagreb, the country’s most decorated club. Immediately loaned to NK Kustošija, he faces the challenge of proving himself at the senior level while carrying the weight of expectation as one of the brightest goalkeeping prospects of his generation.
Nextsportnews has conducted a short exclusive interview with Antonio to hear his thoughts on this important step and his ambitions for the future.
Rising Star
Rajić has built his reputation on composure under pressure, sharp reflexes, and relentless work ethic. More than just a young player working his way through the ranks, he is regarded as one of the most promising names of his generation, someone who could one day stand tall as the last line of defense for the Croatian senior national team.
The Making of a Goalkeeper
From an early age, Rajić was naturally drawn to the goal. The responsibility of being the decisive player, the one capable of making the crucial save, became part of his football identity. His steady rise through Croatia’s youth national teams confirmed that this passion was more than a phase—it was a path he was determined to pursue with full dedication.
Learning Beyond the Training Ground
What separates Rajić from many of his peers is his commitment to extra work beyond standard sessions. He has always dedicated additional time to refining the technical and tactical aspects of his game, with particular attention to positioning and confidence with the ball at his feet. Rajić has also embraced video analysis as a key tool for progress, carefully reviewing his own performances and studying the movements of top goalkeepers to sharpen his awareness and decision-making. He knows that goalkeeping is not only physical, but also a test of mental resilience, and he approaches matches with that balance in mind.
Q&A Highlights
Q: Antonio, first of all, congratulations on signing your professional contract with GNK Dinamo Zagreb. How does it feel to take such a big step in your career?
Antonio: First of all, thank you for the congratulations. I can say that I am overjoyed with this achievement. It has always been my dream to sign a professional contract with Dinamo. All of my effort and hard work have always been directed toward that goal.
Q: Let’s go back to your younger days. When did you decide that being a goalkeeper was the path you wanted to follow?
Antonio: I came to my first Dinamo training session when I was five years old, and I immediately stood in goal. The coaches encouraged me to play outfield because of my strong shot and left foot, but my only desire and passion were the gloves. And it has stayed that way to this day.
Q: Goalkeeping requires constant improvement and attention to detail. Do you do additional training outside of regular club sessions? We also know that many athletes improve their game by reviewing their video clips—both strengths and weaknesses. How much do you practice this type of analysis?
Antonio: I am always in favor of extra work and training; I am a hard worker, and I especially value analysis because it helps me reduce mistakes and boost confidence. I use video analysis on a weekly basis to refine my technical and tactical skills.
Q: Which is the best league in Europe for you, and in which one would you like to play one day?
Antonio: One day, I would like to play in Spain’s La Liga.
Q: Finally, who are your goalkeeping idols—do you have one or more?
Antonio: I don’t have just one idol. I follow several top goalkeepers and try to take something from each of them that I think fits my style of goalkeeping.
Looking Ahead
At the start of what promises to be an exciting career, Antonio Rajić is already showing that talent, discipline, and a professional mindset can open the door to a bright future. Nextsportnews will continue to follow his journey closely and report on his progress. We wish him the best of luck in this new chapter of his career.
Discover Antonio Rajic’s categorized full video clips and explore hundreds of videos from other rising athletes on the Sportyn platform – all free to watch on Sportyn app.
#Nextsportnews #ExclusiveInterview #YouthAndSport #Football #AntonioRajic #DinamoZagreb #GoalkeeperProspect
