EM 2024 - Depression almost forced Josip Iličić to end his career - now he is experiencing his European Championship fairytale with Slovenia
The Slovenes have made it to the quarterfinals, a small miracle. There's even bigger wonders attached to it: Josip Ilicić played a significant role in their advancement. A man who celebrated a rebirth at this European Championship and stirred the hearts of his opponents.
It had been almost 1000 days since Ilicić last stood on the pitch for the Slovenian national team in an official match, coming on as a substitute against England in the last group stage game. Three-quarters of the game had already been played, with England already assured of progression, and the Slovenians fighting for their lives. That evening in Cologne, the Reprezentanca aimed for nothing less than writing history, with their first-ever entry into the knockout stages at one of the major tournaments at stake. And when it got really tight, with the draw threatening to turn into a defeat, it was none other than Josip Ilicić who came to the rescue.
Josip Ilicić re-emerged
The fact that Josip Ilicić would play for his country again, let alone for a club, had seemed unlikely for a long time. Ilicić had been active in the Italian Serie A for a long time, was a powerhouse, and considered a goalscoring machine – then came the Corona pandemic. In Bergamo, where the Slovenian was playing at the time, the outbreak became a nightmare. The images of the convoys transporting the dead left a deep impression on him.
Ilicić found it hard to cope with this period. In 2020, he became depressed and fell into a dark abyss. He couldn't forget what he had experienced and seen, and couldn't play football anymore. Two transfer windows made no difference. In the summer of 2022, the consequence: contract termination. The Slovenian bid farewell to Atalanta Bergamo emotionally. "These things go beyond football," Atalanta's coach Gian Piero Gasperini said at the time.
The "Grand Master of Kranj," as Ilicić was once called, went into hiding, was briefly jobless. But instead of hanging up his football shoes, he fought back and found a new professional home at NK Maribor and returned to his former form. Now, at the age of 36, he is once again one of the top players in his country.
Ilicić celebrates his comeback on the big stage
At this European Championship, Ilicić is now celebrating his comeback on the big stage. This doesn't go unnoticed by the competition. Against England, it was Declan Rice who paid tribute to Ilicić with a raised thumb upon his substitution. "He told me he respected me a lot," Ilicić told Sky Italia after the game. "That was nice to hear. My story is known around the world."
On Monday evening against Portugal, the Slovenians could continue their European fairytale. A tough task – but one that Ilicić has already faced with experience.
Sources: Sport1, BILD, GOAL, Transfermarkt, SPOX
Ilicić's role in Slovenia's Round of 16 win at the European Championship marked the end of his career downturn, as he had dealt with depression following the coronavirus pandemic and its impact in Bergamo. His impressive performance in the tournament, culminating in a comeback against Portugal in the quarterfinals, showcased his resilience and love for the game.
