Matej Gaštarov's rise to Red Star Belgrade detailed by Vančo Balevski

Vanco Balevski, a former Vardar legend, detailed the development of Macedonian midfielder Matej Gaštarov and his journey to Red Star Belgrade (Crvena zvezda). Balevski noted that he first identified Gaštarov's talent while the player was 16 at Vardar, subsequently recommending him for a trial with Red Star's youth academy.

After impressing in friendly matches and the UEFA Youth League against teams like Barcelona and Lyon, Gaštarov moved through the youth ranks and a loan spell at Borac Čačak. Balevski highlighted Gaštarov's composure during high-pressure moments, specifically citing his performance in the 180th Eternal Derby against Partizan. He noted that coach Albert Riera has recognized the player's quality, comparing his potential to established midfielders due to his ball recovery, vision, and ability to transition play quickly.