Šeško is Slovenia’s hope for promotion, in Salzburg people didn’t believe in him

Benjamin Šeško is the most famous player of the Slovenian national team at the current European Championship. The young cannonballer made his name in the jersey of Austrian Salzburg from where he moved to Leipzig, where he is showing his talent. Moreover, if the Slovenians are counting on anyone in their last group game against England, it is him. At the beginning of his engagement in Salzburg, nobody trusted him.

A great season in Germany

The cooperation between Salzburg and Leipzig is working perfectly, as the fans have already seen several times. The latest example is Šeško, who transferred to Leipzig in 2023 for a ridiculous €24 million. The value of the Slovenian cannon player is already almost twice as high.

In his opening season in a Leipzig jersey, he scored a brilliant 14 goals in the Bundesliga, and added 2 each in the Champions League and German Cup. Great numbers for an opening season in the top leagues, and at 21 years old. The Slovenian logically attracted the interest of big clubs, who were already interested in him in the Salzburg jersey.

Tough start in Salzburg

He came to Salzburg as a 16-year-old boy. Immediately he was sent on loan to FC Liefering playing in the 2nd league in Austria. During his first season he scored 11 goals in 29 matches. In his second season there he scored an incredible 21 goals in 30 games. An incredible number for an 18 year old striker playing his 2nd season amongst the adults.

But then came the call-up to Salzburg’s A-team. Šeško struggled, scoring only 3 goals in the autumn part of the Austrian league. Fans were tapping their foreheads as to how such a player could score 21 goals last season. It looked like he was going to say goodbye to the Austrian big club.

“When he wasn’t doing well in Salzburg, everyone asked his agent where the goal machine was,” says Slovenian journalist Miran Zore, who has followed Šeško’s journey from the start. According to him, the player showed great talent when he transferred to Salzburg at a young age.

He finished the 2021/22 season with 11 goals and 7 assists in 37 games. 18 goals in 41 games speaks for itself and immediately the big clubs started to get in touch. For Šešek, the workload won out and he chose Leipzig, which turned out to be the right move.

Šeško is Slovenia’s hope

Although the talented striker did not make a name for himself in the opening games of the European Championship, he is the one the fans are counting on. He helps his team defensively by winning header duels, but he also returns selflessly when the opponents counterattack.

“People expect him to score a goal in every game, but that’s not possible. In the first few games he played for the team. If he scores a goal against England and helps them to progress, everyone will be happy,” said Sheska’s agent Elvis Basanovic. Slovenia’s match against England will be played on Tuesday 25 June at 21:00.

Source: BBC