For the first time in history, Slovenia has reached the knockout phase of a major tournament. Josip Ilicic played a major role in this – a very special story.
Only football writes stories like this: Josip Ilicic, on the brink of collapse, overcome by depression and illness, once without a club and almost 1,000 days without an international match, has returned to the big stage as part of the 2024 European Championship. In the last group match against England, he saved his home country Slovenia a draw, which meant they reached the round of 16. The best story of the European Championship!
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It was the 75th minute in the Cologne stadium when Josip Ilicic came on for the completely exhausted RB star Benjamin Sesko. While the English were already safely in the round of 16, everything was at stake for Slovenia. The Reprezentanca defended with all their might, in their usual combative manner, to prevail against the superpower from England and advance to the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time.
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The substitution of Ilicic also left its mark on the opponent from the island. While the veteran was loudly celebrated by the fans as he entered the pitch, opponent Declan Rice surprised everyone with an emotional gesture. The midfielder turned towards Ilicic and raised his right thumb in recognition – paying respect.
“My story is known all over the world”
A little later, the two duelled in a duel – Ilicic had the upper hand. After the final whistle, there was an exchange of words between the two players, who couldn’t be more different. “He told me that he respects me a lot. That was nice to hear. My story is known all over the world,” Ilicic revealed to Sky Italia.
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His story? The last competitive match for the national team was 955 days ago before he was substituted. In the meantime, the sporting aspect was of secondary importance to the 36-year-old, and his mental health was more important. “I isolated myself, to put it simply,” said Ilicic during one of his rare appearances before the press in April.
During his time in Italy – he played for US Palermo, Fiorentina and especially Atalanta Bergamo – Ilicic was still considered a key player and was indispensable.
It was not without reason that the nickname “The Grand Master of Kranj” was created. But the free fall had actually already begun by then, the story of suffering was already in full swing. The corona pandemic and the lockdown at the beginning of 2020 caused a turning point.
Ilicic bids farewell to Atalanta in tears
Bergamo was hit particularly hard by the virus. And the images of military transporters transporting the bodies away at night apparently had a particularly negative impact on Ilicic. He became depressed and his club granted him a break in his home country to recover.
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Ilicici after his competitive comeback in the Slovenia jersey
His fate caused great sympathy among the fans. Ilicic fought back, but he was unable to permanently get rid of the images in his head. At the beginning of 2022 he had to take another break. “Our head is a jungle, it is not always easy even for psychologists to see through it,” said his then coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Ilicic said goodbye to Atalanta in tears in August 2022, but the close bond remained. In December, just before Christmas, he paid a surprise visit to his former club – and showed off his rediscovered smile.
Because: In October, Ilicic returned to professional football, signing with Slovenian first division club NK Maribor in his home country. The attacker had rediscovered his love of football. “I wanted to enjoy playing, that was my goal and I achieved it,” said Ilicic, who became an absolute top performer for the runner-up, especially in the final phase of the season. “Even now I’m still running in the 90th minute, so something must be ‘wrong’.”
Josip Ilicic threw himself into every duel – as if it were his last
Slovenia faces Portugal in the round of 16
There is nothing ‘wrong’ about it. This is exactly the love and passion that the Slovenians needed for their historic coup on Tuesday evening in Cologne. Ilicic acted like a big brother to his teammates, always there to talk to. “I played with these guys many years ago. They knew very well who I was and how much I could help them.”
He always gives them advice so that they can develop further. “I am an older brother, but my teammates are no longer children like they were a few years ago. Yes, I help them a lot. I know exactly where I am in my career,” he explained. Ilicic is considered an inspiration for many of his colleagues, including those on the other side of the pitch, like Declan Rice for the British team.
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But the Slovenian goal machine is far from satisfied and wants to continue writing history. The team’s sporting success is the most important thing and he will help wherever possible. On Monday evening, an enormous challenge awaits them in the round of 16 against the Portuguese team led by Cristiano Ronaldo (live ticker from 9 p.m.). Will the Slovenians’ European Championship fairytale continue?
