Tucked away in eastern Slovenia, the quiet town of Radeče might soon become famous for more than just its scenic riverbanks and historic school-turned-castle. This small town, with a population of just under 2,000, is where one of football’s rising stars began his journey — Benjamin Sesko, a name rapidly gaining attention in European football circles.
While the Premier League has its fair share of proven strikers, Manchester United may have found a gem in Sesko. Though not as familiar to English fans as names like Ollie Watkins, the 21-year-old forward has already built an impressive résumé. And now, a transfer to Old Trafford could make his childhood dreams a reality.
From Local Pitches to Global Attention
Sesko’s love for the game started early, attending local matches with his father and quickly joining the youth ranks of NK Radeče. His talent stood out immediately. Despite his young age, he often played in older age groups, driven by a hunger to compete at the highest level.
“He was special from day one,” said his first coach, Jernej Čeh. “He trained harder than anyone else and always stayed back to practice more — sometimes even joining sessions of other teams just to keep shooting and improving.”
Sesko’s dedication soon saw him move to bigger clubs, first NK Krško, then NK Domžale. By 16, he took a major leap and joined RB Salzburg in Austria — a move that showed his ambition and potential. Interestingly, Manchester United had their eye on him then too but didn’t match Salzburg’s €2 million offer.
A Style Inspired by Zlatan
At 13, Sesko watched in awe as Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined Manchester United — a moment that left a lasting impression. He admired Zlatan’s unique blend of technical skill and physical dominance. Although Sesko describes himself as a different type of player, he admits to trying to emulate aspects of Ibrahimovic’s style.
“Ibrahimovic was someone I watched a lot growing up,” Sesko once said. “I learned from the way he carried himself and tried to copy his confidence and moves in some situations.”
Ready for the Big Stage?
After impressing at Salzburg, Sesko made another calculated move by joining RB Leipzig in 2022. Despite interest from United again in 2023, he chose to stay in Germany and continue developing his game. But now, with United reportedly preparing another move, the Slovenian striker could be wearing the iconic red shirt very soon.
His former coaches and community back in Radeče are not surprised by his success. “He’s tall, fast, and technically gifted — a rare combination,” said Čeh. “We always believed he could reach the top.”
Conclusion
From a quiet Slovenian town to the world’s biggest football stage, Benjamin Sesko’s journey is a testament to talent, hard work, and belief. If he does land at Manchester United, he won’t just be following in Zlatan’s footsteps — he’ll be carving out a legacy of his own.
