The guy who practically disappeared from the football scene due to depression writes the most beautiful stories again...
An ugly period is behind Josip Ilicic - Maribor brought him back to life, and Matjaž Kek showed greatness and took him to the Euro, where together they turned the most important page in Slovenian football history.
"Dragonflies" are in the round of 16 of the European Championship, for the first time they skipped the group stage at a major competition.
The Slovenian legend played the first minutes of the Euros against England in the last round of Group C, when Kek's team needed security on the field.
After the match, Ilicic spoke for the first time since returning to the national team.
"I am proof that in life you must never give up, never. Just as you can lose a lot, on the other hand, life can also give you a lot. You have to find a way to enjoy life again, to be happy," said Ilicic. to Italian journalists.
He says about the great success of Slovenia...
"I am happy for all the players and for all of Slovenia. Our country is small, but it has a big heart. That is what drives us forward - now we have proved that we can do a lot. I am glad that we made all our fans and families happy with the matches in Germany," added the former master of Fiorentina and Atalanta.
He does not hide that he did not expect to be part of the Euro.
"Honestly, I should have been at sea now," joked Ilicic.
Would it be nicer by the sea?
"No, it's nicer here," Ilicic concluded with a smile.
Bonus video:
