Former Serie A stalwart and Slovenia legend Josip Ilicic spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport recently. In an honest conversation with the outlet, the 37-year-old discussed both the high and low points of his career.
While stories of his personal life have dominated the last few years, itโs important to remember just how good Ilicic was. Initially, there were doubts surrounding his early career, as at 21, he thought about retiring to pursue futsal, his passion, and finding a job in the real world.
However, his potential was undeniable, and he signed for Maribor. Just a handful of appearances later, he quickly earned a move to Palermo after facing them in Europe.
Three years in Sicily cemented Ilicic as a mainstay in the league, leading to Fiorentina signing him. I Viola, however, arenโt someone the 86-cap Slovenian enjoys talking about.
โIโm sorry to say it, but Iโm done with Fiorentina. They criticised me when I was the top scorer and top assist provider twice. Was I bad? Come on. We finished fourth, and that wasnโt enough. The Europa League semi-final wasnโt enough.โ
Ilicicโs time with Atalanta saw him reach cult status as the world steadily came to a stop during Covid. โI was in better form than Iโve ever seen, and we werenโt afraid of anyone. Real Madrid coming? OK, but show that youโre better. Atalanta changed history while the world was starting to stop, turning off the lightโฆโ
In the pandemic, Ilicicโs star faded as a mix of depression and a swirling media circus took hold. Fortunately, the Slovenian playmaker is back enjoying the sport he loves and can now articulate that time in his life.
โThey offered me money to tell my story, but Iโm keeping the details to myself. I didnโt know if Iโd ever play again, and when youโre stuck at home, you start to think. I spent 42 days in Bergamo without my family. I suffered. Money, contracts โ nothing mattered anymore.
โI wasnโt well. And the rumours about my wife hurt me. But can you imagine Iโd find my wife with someone else? She was subjected to incredible insults. Something had to come out. In the end, I came home. In Slovenia, it was as if Covid wasnโt there, while in Bergamo, coffins were being paraded on trucks. A terrible image. A few years earlier, I had experienced the Astori tragedy, with whom I played in Florence. It affected me.โ
The ex-La Dea hero was clearly disturbed by rumours surrounding his wife on social media. As it happens many times in the information age, news flows quickly and there was never proof to the rumours.
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GIFNย |ย Max Bradfield
