Soccer: the only player in history to have played in 3 World Cups with 3 different national teams (photo)

In the history of football, Dejan Stankovic is the only player to have competed in 3 World Cups with 3 different national teams.

The former star of Inter Milan played in the 1998 World Cup in France with the Yugoslav national team. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, and subsequently its national team, Stankovic joined a newly formed squad.

For the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the former Lazio midfielder represented Serbia and Montenegro, a nation recently recognized by FIFA. Shortly before the tournament, Montenegro declared independence, leading Serbia to form a new national team. Stankovic played his final World Cup in 2010 in South Africa under this reconstituted Serbian team.

This unique situation makes the former Red Star Belgrade player the only one to have worn the colors of 3 different national teams in 3 World Cups. Now 45 years old, Stankovic has transitioned into coaching since retiring from professional play.

He currently manages Ferencvaros TC in the Hungarian league.