It is a battle I have been fighting since I was a very young kid. It was not easy to convince an entire country that a change of mentality was really possible. “Macedonians have got lost in a deeply negative and pessimistic mindset. “Macedonia, one of the greatest and most powerful kingdoms that has ever existed on Earth, has been forgotten and reduced almost to oblivion by the intentions of many who envy its history,” he reasons passionately.
Ahead of their tournament opener against Spain in Gdynia on Saturday, Babunski explains why it has taken so long for his nation to make it to the big stage and the positive impact this will have on the population. It is the first time in Macedonia’s history that they have qualified for a major international finals. He was the leader of Macedonia’s Under-21 qualifying campaign, inspiring his country to finish top of Group 3 and eliminate a star-studded France side in the process. However, things didn’t eventually work out for Babunski at Camp Nou and he departed in January of last year – first joining Red Star Belgrade before moving on to current club Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan.ĭespite failing to make the grade at Barcelona, Babunski is highly regarded in his home country where he was named as Young Sportsperson of the Year back in 2011.
In September 2015, he was included in Barcelona’s 24-man squad for the Champions League group stage and it seemed like the future was bright for the attacking midfielder. He spent around a decade in Catalonia and was once regarded as Andres Iniesta’s successor. In fact, he is a total contradiction of the stereotypical footballer whose interests tend to involve money, cars and women.Ī son of former Yugoslavia and Macedonia international centre-back Boban Babunski, who played in Spain for Logroñés at the turn of the millennium, David started his career in Barcelona’s youth ranks. I love neuroscience.”Ĭertainly there are not many footballers who are interested in neuroscience, but then the 23-year-old Babunski is not your ordinary footballer. “Here in Poland, I’m currently reading a book from Joe Dispenza. “I write my book, take a walk and read some interesting articles on the Internet or a book," he reveals in an enlightening and thought-provoking interview with Goal. While his team-mates may spend their free time on the PlayStation or social media as they wait for FYR Macedonia’s first ever tournament match at the Euro Under-21 finals in Poland, the nation’s star midfielder, David Babunski, has other things to do.
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