Slovenia Boss and Captain Defend Striker Sesko Amidst Criticism

Slovenia manager Bostjan Cesar and captain Jan Oblak have publicly defended striker Benjamin Sesko after former Manchester United stars criticized him for missing matches due to a shin injury. Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt have all commented on Sesko's absence from recent games for both Manchester United and the Slovenian national team.

Rooney, speaking on his podcast, questioned the severity of the injury, suggesting players should play through pain if possible. "Unless you physically can’t play, you play when you’re injured," Rooney stated, recalling his own experiences with pain management. Scholes and Butt echoed similar sentiments on their podcast, with Butt emphasizing a player's duty to compete.

Sesko, a reported £74 million striker for Manchester United, missed the team's draw at Fulham and subsequently withdrew from the Slovenia squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures. He also missed the final three games of last season and United's summer friendlies as he dealt with the injury. This marks over a year since his last appearance for his country.

Cesar addressed the criticism, stating that playing for a major club involves scrutiny and that Sesko is navigating a challenging period. "He's going through a tough period in his career, as he hasn't had injury problems until now. This is an unusual injury that takes time to heal," Cesar explained. He stressed the importance of Sesko surrounding himself with trusted individuals and maintaining a positive outlook.

"All of us around him need to stay positive because that's what he needs. He needs time, and Slovenia needs him too when he's healthy," Cesar added. He asserted that Sesko possesses the necessary qualities to succeed at the highest level.

Oblak, also speaking on the situation, sympathized with Sesko's experience, drawing parallels to the pressure of playing for a prominent club like Atletico Madrid. "The whole situation is certainly not easy," Oblak said. "He transferred to a big club very quickly. He's under a lot of pressure."

"But you just have to believe in yourself, aim to heal and come back as soon as possible, and to show everyone – those who think otherwise, who think you can't do it – that they are wrong," Oblak continued. "I believe that he will succeed. That he will stay strong. That his head will hold up. And that when he returns, he will be at the highest level again."