Talented Savićević had truly came into his own over those four months, becoming the team's focal point. The success led to increased attention, resulting in the skilled midfielder getting his first cap for the national side in October 1986 against Turkey. Two months later, in late December during the league winter break, he got voted the league's "breakthrough player of the season". He furthermore placed high in the 1986 Yugoslav Player of the Year choice by the "Tempo" magazine — the top prize went to Red Star's sweeper Marko Elsner while Velež's Semir Tuce, Savićević, and Željezničar's Haris Škoro placed just behind. Yugoslav press couldn't get enough of outspoken Savićević with numerous print interviews and electronic media appearances. Asked in February 1987 (just as league season was about to restart) how he envisions his football career, the twenty-year-old said: