Still only 16 years old and yet to celebrate her 17th birthday, Aleka Balević has already achieved what many players spend entire careers chasing. As a two-time champion with WFC Budućnost, captain of Montenegro’s youth national team, she has established herself as one of the brightest prospects in Montenegrin football.
Standing 175 cm tall and operating in the heart of midfield, Balević combines technical elegance, tactical intelligence, and remarkable maturity. Her ability to dictate the tempo of a game, connect defense and attack, and remain composed under pressure has made her one of the most exciting young players in the Balkans.
With UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers ahead and expectations growing around her future, Womengool sat down with Aleka to discuss her development, Budućnost’s success, her football inspirations, and the dreams that continue to drive her forward.
Aleka, although you are still only 16, you have already helped Budućnost win two league titles and established yourself as a leader within Montenegro’s youth national teams. When you look back on your journey so far, what achievement means the most to you?
Winning two league titles with Budućnost is definitely something I am incredibly proud of, especially because we made history for the club. Those championships were the first league titles Budućnost had ever won, which makes them even more special.
Representing Montenegro at youth level is also a huge honor. At only 16 years old, these experiences have already taught me valuable lessons about discipline, responsibility, and believing in yourself. They have shown me that hard work truly pays off, but at the same time, I see these achievements as only the beginning of my journey. I am motivated to achieve much more in the years ahead.
Many coaches describe you as a midfielder with exceptional vision, technical quality, and maturity beyond your years. How would you describe yourself as a player?
I would describe myself as a hardworking and intelligent midfielder who always puts the team first.
I enjoy controlling the game, staying calm under pressure, and making good decisions with the ball. My biggest strengths are my vision, passing ability, and my willingness to contribute in every phase of the game. Whether it is helping defensively or creating opportunities going forward, I always try to do whatever the team needs to succeed.
Football is a collective sport, and I believe that the best midfielders are those who make everyone around them better.
As a central and defensive midfielder, what do you enjoy most about your role on the pitch?
I love being involved in every phase of the game.
As a midfielder, I have the opportunity to connect the defense and attack, organize the team's play, and help create chances while also winning the ball back. It is a position that requires concentration and responsibility because every decision can influence the flow of the match.
What I enjoy most is being able to help the team in different ways. Whether it is a key pass, a defensive action, or simply keeping possession, I always try to make decisions that benefit the collective.
Budućnost will once again compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers this summer. What does playing on the European stage mean to you?
Competing in Europe is a dream for every player. I have already had the opportunity to experience UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers, and it was one of the most valuable experiences of my career so far. Playing against strong international opponents teaches you a lot and helps you understand what is required at the highest level.
Representing Budućnost and Montenegro on the European stage is a great honor. Together with my teammates, we will do everything possible to achieve the best result we can and show that Montenegrin women’s football continues to move forward.
How would you describe the current Budućnost squad and its ambitions for the upcoming season?
We have a very talented group of players and a fantastic atmosphere within the team. Everyone works hard every day and constantly pushes one another to improve. I believe that our unity and commitment are among our biggest strengths.
Our ambition is clear: we want to continue winning trophies, perform well in Europe, and keep raising the standard of women’s football in Montenegro. We know success requires hard work, but we are ready for that challenge.
Two years ago, you played alongside Maša Tomašević, who is now with Inter, while last season you shared the dressing room with key players such as Angelina Drešaj and Jana Merdović. What did you learn from them, and how important were they in your development as a young player?
I learned a lot from all three of them, not only about football but also about professionalism, mentality, and what it takes to perform at a high level every day.
Maša, Angelina, and Jana always led by example through their work ethic, discipline, and attitude both on and off the pitch. As a younger player, it was extremely valuable to train and compete alongside teammates like them because they showed me the standards required to succeed and continue progressing in football.
Their influence helped me develop as both a player and a person. I am grateful for everything I learned from them, and I believe experiences like those are very important when you are building your own path and ambitions in the game.
Budućnost managed to break Breznica’s dominance and win the first two league titles in club history. What made this team special?
Our unity was the biggest difference. Everyone believed in the same goal and was willing to work hard for the team. We trusted each other, stayed focused throughout the season, and never gave up, even when things became difficult.
That mentality allowed us to achieve something historic. Success in football is never about one player, it comes from the collective effort of an entire group working together toward the same objective.
What does representing Montenegro mean to you, and what are your dreams with the national team?
Representing Montenegro is one of the greatest honors I can have. Every time I wear the national team shirt, I feel proud, motivated, and responsible. Playing for your country is a special feeling that is difficult to describe.
My dream is to continue representing Montenegro at every level and eventually become an important player for the senior national team. I also hope to help Montenegro achieve success on the biggest international stages in the future.
Which players inspire you the most, and what do you try to learn from them?
I enjoy watching players like Pedri because of his intelligence, vision, and ability to control the tempo of a match. I also admire Jude Bellingham for his leadership, energy, and complete midfield profile. Both players show how influential a midfielder can be when combining technical quality with tactical understanding.
Whenever I watch top-level football, I try to learn something new and apply it to my own game. There is always room for improvement, and studying great players is one of the best ways to continue growing.
Women’s football in Montenegro is growing rapidly. How do you see its future?
I believe the future is very promising. Every year, more girls are becoming interested in football, and the quality of the game continues to improve. To maintain that progress, we need continued investment, strong youth development programs, and greater media attention.
The more opportunities young girls have, the stronger women’s football in Montenegro will become. I believe the next generation has the potential to achieve even greater things.
Away from football, who is Aleka Balević?
Outside football, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy listening to music, following other sports, and relaxing whenever I have free time. Maintaining balance is important because it helps me stay focused, motivated, and fresh mentally.
Football is a huge part of my life, but having interests outside the game helps me perform better when I step onto the pitch.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
In five years, I hope to be playing for a top European club and competing at the highest level of the game. I also want to establish myself as an important player for Montenegro’s senior national team and continue representing my country with pride.
Most importantly, I want to keep improving every day, not only as a footballer, but also as a person. I believe that growth never stops, and that mindset is something I want to carry with me throughout my entire career.
Many people already consider you one of the biggest talents in Montenegrin football. Do you feel pressure because of that?
I see it more as motivation than pressure. I appreciate that people believe in my potential, but I also understand that talent alone is never enough. Nothing comes without hard work, sacrifice, and dedication.
My focus is simply on improving every day and helping my team. If I continue working hard and staying humble, I believe the results will come naturally. Right now, my priority is development, and everything else will follow.
For Montenegrin football, Aleka Balević represents much more than a promising midfielder. She represents the future, a player capable of inspiring young girls, elevating the standard of the game, and carrying the hopes of a new generation.
And if her current trajectory is any indication, this is only the beginning of a remarkable story.
