 Internationally, he represented Yugoslavia at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and at the UEFA Euro 2000.Beginning his career with his birth-town club FK Radnički Kovin, but was soon spotted by Zrenjanin based Serbian top league club FK Proleter Zrenjanin and it became clear, at the young age of 19, that Kovačević would become one of the country's greatest ever goalscorers.Spending two seasons with the club, Kovačević managed over a goal every other game, and was quickly snatched up by Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade.