by Mantas Aliukonis
On a rainy evening in Vilnius, after yet another tough loss for FK Riteriai, Milanas Rutkovskis stands tall—literally and figuratively. At 1.90 meters, the 19-year-old center-back cuts a striking figure as he emerges from the tunnel, not just a presence on the pitch but also a personality in the making. If football hadn’t claimed him early, the modeling world might have. But here, under the gray skies and next to his family’s sports car—and a smiling companion by his side—Rutkovskis wears the fatigue of a team in crisis.
FK Riteriai are struggling. Four consecutive defeats have left the Vilnius club second from bottom in the A Lyga table, just above winless Dainava. Financial instability continues to cast a long shadow. Rumors about unpaid wages, whispered investor interest, and even talk of relocating home matches to Jonava (~100km away) have swirled around the club. The locker room atmosphere is tense, hope flickers, and results are scarce. “We’ve received part of our March wages,” Rutkovskis admits, “but we still show up every day. We’re professionals—we train, we improve, no matter what.”
And he is improving. Once a youth player at FM Ateitis, Rutkovskis has quietly matured into one of the most promising young defenders in Lithuanian football. Now in his third season with Riteriai, he’s made 13 A Lyga appearances this year alone. Last season, he was playing in the Pirma lyga; now he’s facing seasoned foreign forwards week in, week out. “You feel the difference immediately,” he says of the league jump. “The speed, the physicality—every striker comes from a different football culture, and every match is a new challenge.”
The latest challenge came in the form of Hegelmann FC, Lithuania’s vice-champions. Riteriai started strong, surging to a two-goal lead. But as has been the pattern this season, their grip loosened, and they eventually fell 4–2. “We came out pressing hard, attacking, and got those early goals,” Rutkovskis recalls. “But we lost concentration. That first goal we conceded… it rattled us. And then it all fell apart.”
As disheartening as the results are, the defender refuses to wallow. Instead, he looks ahead. With the national team windows approaching in June, Rutkovskis is hoping for a call-up—either to the U-21 squad or, ideally, the senior men’s team. “It’s one of my biggest dreams,” he says. “To represent Lithuania internationally would give me massive motivation. But I know I need to work for it. Club results matter too.” He believes that success at the international level is tied to performance at the club level, and he’s determined to help lift Riteriai out of their slump.
The uncertainty surrounding the club’s future is a topic Rutkovskis doesn’t shy away from. “There are some investors interested in us, from what we hear,” he says cautiously.
Right now, the results aren’t great, and it’s showing in our performances. But I believe in this team. I think we can still finish the season strong—if the club survives, we’ll fight to prove ourselves.
Missing from the stands and the locker room is Jan Nevoina, once a familiar face at matches. “Lately, I haven’t seen him,” says Rutkovskis. “We only hear from him through club staff. Maybe he’s busy, maybe he’s talking to new investors—I don’t know.” The defender shrugs. The off-field distractions are many, but his focus remains on the pitch.
He’s also focused on his idols. When asked who he models his game after, Rutkovskis doesn’t hesitate: “Rúben Dias from Manchester City. He’s solid, dependable. I think a center-back needs to be aggressive and constantly driven to improve.” It’s an answer that reveals as much about Rutkovskis’ footballing values as it does about his ambitions. He already has representation and is open to a move abroad in the future, though he admits he still has much to prove. “Right now, the results aren’t where we want them to be, but we’re learning, growing, and pushing forward,” he says. “I owe a lot to my first coach, Edvardas Malkevičius—he helped me fall in love with the game.”
As we wrap up, talk turns briefly to the Champions League final. Who does he think will win? “Honestly… I don’t know,” he grins. It’s a moment of levity after a heavy week.
Milanas Rutkovskis will turn 20 on July 3. His professional story is only just beginning. Whether it leads to a senior national team call-up or a move abroad, one thing is clear: amid the chaos at FK Riteriai, this young defender is keeping his feet on the ground, his eyes on the game, and his heart set on something greater.
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