The football world is in mourning. The former player and coach Sinisa Mihajlovic died this Friday in a hospital in Rome at the age of 53. The Serbian has battled leukemia since he was diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
"The wife Arianna, with her children Viktorija, Virginia, Miroslav, Dusan and Nikolas, her granddaughter Violante, her mother Vikyorija and her brother Drazen, from grief communicate the unjust and premature death of their exemplary husband, father, son and brother, Sinisa Mihajlovic," her family reported in a statement published by the Italian news agency ANSA.
"A unique man, an extraordinary professional, helpful and good to everyone, who bravely fought against a horrible disease. We thank the doctors and nurses who have followed him over the years, with love and respect. Sinisa He will always be with us. I live with all the love he gave us," the family statement continues.
The Serbian, a specialist in free kicks during his time as a footballer in the 1990s and early 2000s -in the same game with Lazio he managed to score a hat-trick from a direct free kick-, began the season on the Bologna bench , but in September he was dismissed due to poor results.
It was his second stage at the Emilia-Romagna club after in 2008 he began his stage as a coach alone. He also managed Catania, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Milan, Torino and Sporting de Portugal, as well as the Serbian team.
The son of a Croatian mother and a Serbian father, the footballer began his career at Borovo and Red Star in the extinct Yugoslavia before making the leap to Calcio, where he would develop his career for 14 years. He played for Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter Milan. His greatest achievements were the European Cup and the Intercontinental (Red Star), the European Cup Winners' Cup (Lazio) and four Italian Cups (two with Lazio and two with Inter).
He overcame this leukemia in the first instance in 2019, but it recurred at the end of last season, which caused him to undergo medical treatment to try to remit it. Mihajlovic left the bench in the middle of last season due to said medical treatment, but he returned to lead a game from the pitch just over a month after being admitted to hospital, just for the last three days.
The Italian Prime Minister, the far-right Giorgia Meloni, expressed her condolences after the death of the Serb. "You fought like a lion on the field and in life. You have been an example and have given courage to many who are facing the disease. They have qualified you as an iron sergeant, you have shown that you have a big heart. You are and will always be a winner. Goodbye Sinisa Mihajlovic", he published on his official Twitter account.
In addition, Serie A also expressed its regret: "Lega Serie A is deeply saddened by the death of Sinisa Mihajlovic, an icon of football and life. His pure class as a player and coach, his strength and his humanity are an example that leaves an indelible mark on Italian and world football".
