Legendary Serie A defender and coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has tragically died aged 53 after losing his battle against leukaemia. Mihajlovic was part of the Red Star Belgrade side that famously won the European Cup in 1990 before making the switch to Italy where he played for Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter.
His family released a statement earlier today, confirming his death:
“The wife Arianna, his children Viktorija, Virginia, Miroslav, Dusan and Nikolas, the nephew Violante, the mother Vikyorija and brother Drazen, in pain, communicate the unjust and premature death of their husband, father, son and exemplary brother, Sinisa Mihajlovic.
A unique man, an extraordinary professional, helpful and good with everyone. He bravely struggled against a horrible disease.
We thank the doctors and nurses who have followed him in these years, with love and respect, in particular Francesca Bonifazi, Antonio Curti, Prof. Alessandro Rambaldi, and Dott. Luca Marchetti. Sinisa will always be with us. I live with all the love he has given us”.
Mihajlovic was first diagnosed with leukaemia in 2019 and initially recovered after a lengthy cycle of treatment, but he confirmed the disease had return in March 2022 and that he would be undergoing a new cycle of chemotherapy.
Bologna sacked him earlier this season after a poor start to the campaign, despite his impressive run in charge since 2019.
Mihajlovic played 574 games during his almost 20 years playing professional football, scoring 99 goals, many of them from free-kicks where he was considered one of the finest the game had seen.
Everyone at FootItalia sends their love to his family and friends at this difficult time.
RIP Siniša. You will be missed.
