The South American continent has always sounded exotic to us and that is why it always causes special interest when we learn about a Macedonian who plays there. Tetovo native Nuriman Ismaili played for La Paz, Bolivia, from 2009-2010, and the only South American-Macedonian who played in Macedonian championship was the Brazilian-Macedonian Velhan (Veljan) Cvetanoski who played for Pobeda Prilep, Cementarnica 55, Teteks and Vardar, from 2009-2011.
photo from Kristian’s private archive
The country of the current world champion, Argentina, is in the foreground for this article.
Macedonian Football found two Argentine-Macedonian footballers ten years ago, Cristián Ivanobski and Cristián Traicovich, who remain the only footballers of Macedonian origin for whom we have information that played in Argentina in youth or senior competition. We would like to introduce the 16 years old right winger Kristian Grozdanovski, member of the U17 team of San Martín Mendoza. He is the third player with Macedonian roots to ever play for an Argentine club.
MF: Hi Kristian. Can you tell us something about the beginnings of your career?
I was born in Sydney in 2008 and I started playing football at age of 4. My father and my grandfather were also footballers so I loved the ball since I started kicking it. I started of at my local club in Australia, Harrington United and then moved up into several bigger clubs(Macarthur Rams, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Camden Tigers, St George FC) playing around New South Wales for more exposure to show my ability and skill. At the age of 13 I started playing in youth leagues and at the same time became a member of the Villarreal Academy in Sydney, where I stayed until the age of 16 before moving to Argentina.
photo from private archive: Kristian Grozdanovski in action
MF: How did you end up moving to Argentina?
The move to Аrgentina came when a scout saw me play a couple of games in Australia and then at an international tournament in Spain where we won the second place with the Villarreal Academy. He liked what he saw and suggested to make a move to Аrgentina which I did and so far enjoying my football here in AC San Martín Mendoza. I am currently a member of San Martín’s U17 team, but after the end of the season I have an offer to move to the youth academy of a club that competes in the Torneo Clausura (the Argentine’s First Tier).
MF: What is your connection to Macedonia and have you had the opportunity to visit it?
I have visited Macedonia when I was 9. My mum is from Bitola and my father was born in Sydney but he is also originally from the Bitola region, through my grandparents (from the villages of Mogila and Gjavato). While I was in Bitola I signed up to train for FK Talent from Bitola, with Zlatko Cvetanovski head of the academy. It was a enjoyable time.
MF: Any plans for the future and is there a club you would like to play for?
My plan is to stay here in Argentina at least until 18, train really hard and sign for a first division team, before making my way to Europe. I really like to play in Spain or similar football to the Spanish football. My father Kire wants me to play for Vardar sometime during my career because he played there when he was 19.
photo by Villarreal Academy Sydney: The Premier Academy League NATIONS CUP 2023 winner’s
MF: Given the fact that you were born in Australia and have Macedonian roots, you can play for both national teams. Have you ever thought about this and would you accept a possible call to play for Macedonia?
I want to win a World Cup with Macedonia and show the world that Macedonia has great players too.
MF: Macedonian Football wish you all the best in your further career.