Walk into the Rajko Mitić Stadium on a Tuesday night in Belgrade, and the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the football. It’s the vibration. The concrete literally hums under your feet. This is the Marakana, and the red star belgrade players walking out of that legendary tunnel aren’t just athletes; they’re the current custodians of a legacy that includes the 1991 European Cup.
Honestly, the modern squad is a wild mix. You’ve got local kids who grew up dreaming of the North Stand (Delije) and seasoned internationals who probably had to Google "Belgrade" before signing. But once the whistle blows, the hierarchy is clear.
The Old Guard: Katai and the Art of the "Magiko"
Aleksandar Katai is basically a deity in Belgrade. People call him "Magiko," and for good reason. Even in the 2025/26 season, at 34 years old, the guy still treats the Serbian SuperLiga like his personal playground. He’s the vice-captain, the creative heartbeat, and a man who refuses to run if he can just pass the ball into the top corner instead.
Last season, Katai was a monster. He bagged 13 goals and 9 assists in the league, but it’s his presence that matters. When the game gets tight, the ball goes to Katai. Alongside him, you have Mirko Ivanić, the captain. Ivanić is the engine. He’s the guy doing the "dirty work" that allows Katai to be a wizard. Together, they represent the soul of the club—veterans who understand that at Red Star, a draw feels like a funeral.
The Global Roster: From Seoul to South America
If you looked at the team sheet ten years ago, it was almost entirely Serbian. Not anymore. The current red star belgrade players list looks like a UN meeting.
📖 Related: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
Take Seol Young-woo, the South Korean right-back. He arrived from Ulsan HD and immediately became a fan favorite. Why? Because he runs like he’s got three lungs. In the 2024/25 Champions League campaign, he was one of the few who actually looked comfortable against the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan. He’s got that rare mix of tactical discipline and the "Zvezda" flair.
Then there’s the firepower. Cherif Ndiaye, the Senegalese striker, ended the 2024/25 season as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals. He’s a physical nightmare for defenders. But the club hasn’t stopped there. They recently brought in the Austrian veteran Marko Arnautović on a free transfer. Seeing Arnautović in a Red Star shirt is sorta surreal—he’s got that "bad boy" energy that fits the Belgrade vibe perfectly.
The Midfield Muscle
Rade Krunić is another name you’ll know. After years at AC Milan, he’s back in the Balkans, serving as the third captain. He brings that Serie A tactical awareness to a midfield that can sometimes be a bit... chaotic.
Then you have the newer additions like:
👉 See also: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
- Tomás Händel: The Portuguese defensive mid brought in from Vitória de Guimarães for over €3 million.
- Timi Max Elšnik: The Slovenian who became a household name during Euro 2024.
- Felício Milson: The Angolan winger who provides the pace that keeps opposing full-backs awake at night.
The 5-Million-Euro Teen: Aleksa Damjanović
Every few years, the Red Star academy produces a "wonderkid" that makes European scouts start booking flights to Belgrade. Right now, that kid is Aleksa Damjanović.
He’s 16 years old. He stands 1.98 meters tall. Basically, he’s a giant.
Even though he’s barely started shaving, Bundesliga clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig are reportedly circling with €5 million offers. He’s already made several senior appearances, and seeing a kid that tall with the footwork of a winger is genuinely frightening. He represents the financial future of the club. Red Star survives by selling these gems to the Big Five leagues, and Damjanović is next in line.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Squad
There’s this misconception that Red Star is just a "stepping stone" club. While they do sell players like Andrija Maksimović (who recently headed to RB Leipzig) or Veljko Milosavljević (who went to Bournemouth for a cool £13 million), the core remains surprisingly stable.
✨ Don't miss: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
The club has a specific "DNA" they look for. They don't just want talent; they want personality. You can't survive the Belgrade Derby against Partizan if you're mentally soft. The red star belgrade players who succeed are the ones who can handle 50,000 people screaming at them when they misplace a five-yard pass.
The View from the Goal: Matheus and Glazer
Goalkeeping has been a bit of a saga lately. Omri Glazer, the Israeli international, was the undisputed number one for a while. He’s a shot-stopper of the highest order. However, the club recently spent €1.5 million to bring in Matheus from Braga.
Matheus is 33, experienced, and has already racked up a 74% save percentage in the early parts of the 2025/26 season. It’s a healthy competition, but in a city as passionate as Belgrade, having two top-tier keepers is a luxury that keeps the defense on their toes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you’re following the team this season, keep an eye on these specific dynamics:
- Watch the Full-Backs: Seol Young-woo and the new signing Nair Tiknizyan are the primary creative outlets. Red Star plays very wide, often overlapping to overwhelm defensive blocks.
- The "Katai" Effect: Notice how the tempo of the game changes when Aleksandar Katai enters the pitch. If he's starting, the play is methodical. If he's off, it’s a track meet.
- Scout the Youth: Don't just watch the senior team. The U19s, coached by Nenad Milijaš, are where the next big transfer fees are currently being molded.
- The "Marakana" Factor: Statistically, the players perform roughly 20% better at home in European competitions. The crowd isn't just "noise"—it's a tactical advantage that shrinks the pitch for the opposition.
The current crop of players is currently in a dogfight for the Serbian title, sitting just behind Partizan in a razor-thin race. Whether they're battling in the Champions League or a muddy pitch in a small Serbian town, the expectation is the same: win everything. That pressure is exactly why these players are some of the most resilient in Europe.