Six goals, 11 assists and a place at the top of the table. Kalina Popeski is making her mark at Ljuboten as one of the standout attacking players in North Macedonia. After winning silverware with Red Star Belgrade and making her senior international debut at 17, the versatile forward now has another target: helping an exciting North Macedonia U19 generation win their qualifying group.
Kalina, your numbers this season speak for themselves. What has helped you settle so quickly and become such an influential player for Ljuboten?
I’m happy with my contribution so far, especially because those goals and assists have helped us reach first place. A lot of my confidence comes from my teammates and our coach, Bojan Stamenković. They have supported me from the opening round and made me feel comfortable expressing myself on the pitch. With every match, I feel more confident and able to show what I can do. Now I want to keep that going.
Where did your love of football begin?
Almost as soon as I could walk! My parents tell me I was always running after a ball. At first, they were surprised that such a little girl wanted to kick a football all the time, but that love was there from the beginning.
My family have supported me ever since. They follow my matches, encourage me and have been beside me through every stage. Their support has made a huge difference, and I know I wouldn’t have reached this point without them.
You won two league titles and two Cups with Red Star Belgrade. What did those years teach you about winning?
Red Star was a big part of my football upbringing, and I also spent time at Milutinac. Winning a title is a wonderful feeling, but you learn that it takes much more than wanting to lift a trophy. You need a strong mentality and the commitment to keep working for it.
That is something I want to bring to Ljuboten. I know how special those moments are, and I want to experience them again with this team.
You can play anywhere across the attack. Where do you feel most dangerous?
Left wing is my natural position and where I feel most comfortable. It gives me the chance to use my speed, take on defenders and get into shooting positions. Those are probably the qualities that describe me best.
I’m comfortable on the right too, or elsewhere in attack if the team needs me. But on the left, I particularly enjoy cutting inside onto my stronger right foot and looking for a finish.
Your dribbling makes you an unpredictable opponent. How do you decide when to take a defender on and when to keep things simple?
Dribbling is probably my favourite part of the game. I enjoy trying different moves, learning new ones and gradually bringing them into matches.
But close to goal, I usually want to be more direct. Sometimes two or three touches are enough to create the chance you need. I love taking players on, but the aim is always to do something useful with the ball afterwards.
With 11 assists already, creating goals is clearly a big part of your game. Does an assist give you the same satisfaction as scoring?
Yes, because both help the team. When I have the ball, I try to get my head up, look at the defender’s position and decide which option makes the most sense. Sometimes that means shooting, and sometimes a teammate is in a better position.
It helps to play alongside girls who can finish the chances I create. I love scoring, of course, but I’m just as happy when a pass becomes a goal. What matters most to me is finishing the match with three points.
Ljuboten are leading the league, with Skopje close behind. What gives you confidence that this team can stay at the top?
The chemistry we have, both on and off the pitch. For me, that is a huge part of making a team work. Every player gives everything, we have the coach’s full support, and we approach each match as if it could decide the title.
Our next game against Skopje is our biggest test so far. We believe we can win, but we have to show the same commitment and quality that have brought us here. There is a lot of belief within the team, and that gives us confidence.
You made your senior debut for North Macedonia at 17. What did that experience mean to you?
I would say it is my proudest achievement so far. Having that opportunity at 17 meant a lot, and it gave me even more motivation to keep improving.
You notice the difference when you face experienced senior internationals. They have spent much longer in the game, and that experience makes them difficult opponents. At U19 level, I’m competing against players closer to my own age. Being involved with the senior team has helped me understand the level I want to reach.
You will return to Serbia for the U19 qualifiers against the hosts, Montenegro and Azerbaijan. What are your expectations?
I’m really motivated, especially because I’ll be returning to a country where I spent so much of my football journey. But the biggest motivation is the chance to help North Macedonia win the group and earn promotion to League A.
We have three important matches against teams with quality, so we will need to perform well throughout the tournament. I believe we have the ability to finish first. My ambition is to help us win all three games, and I’ll give everything I can towards that.
You have described this as an especially talented generation. What makes you believe so strongly in this group?
For me, the players born in 2008 and 2009 make up one of the most talented generations North Macedonia has had. Several of us have already been involved with the senior national team, and that experience is a real advantage.
We understand each other well on the pitch, and there is quality in every position. That is why I believe we can compete for first place. Of course, we have to turn that belief into performances when the matches begin.
How do you view the Turkish women’s league, and could you see your style fitting there?
I have a positive impression of the league. There are strong teams and talented players, including quite a few from the Balkans, which makes it interesting for me to follow.
From what I’ve seen, the conditions look good and the football is fast, which appeals to me. I enjoy playing at speed and attacking defenders, so I think that style could suit my qualities. It looks like an interesting league for a young player who wants to develop.
Away from football, what does a normal day look like for you?
I like spending time with my family and friends. Going for a coffee with my friends is often how I use a free moment between training sessions. Those ordinary moments mean a lot to me.
School is important too. I attend regularly and use the time around my club commitments to study and keep up with my education. I’m fortunate to have good people around me. They influence my mood, support me and help me feel happy, which also matters when I step onto the pitch.
What would you most like to see change in women’s football in North Macedonia?
More media attention would make a real difference. There are players and teams worth watching, and greater visibility could help more people become interested in our football.
I would also love to see more young girls start playing. Those things are connected: when girls can see women playing football, it becomes easier to imagine themselves doing the same. A bigger number of players and more attention around the game would give us a stronger foundation to build on.
