Sad news has once again shaken Montenegro - Andrija Delibasic, one of our country's sports heroes, has passed away at the age of 44.
A great football player and an even better man lost his battle with the most serious illness - the former Montenegrin national team player was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2023.
Andrija is gone, too soon, but his goal against England in the 91st minute on October 7, 2011, for a big 2:2 draw, will live forever, and with him the guy who always had a special place in the hearts of the fans.
And not just because of that goal.
Delibasic was born in Sutjeska, and his talent was discovered by Partizan when he was still a boy, where he arrived at the age of 14. He wore the black and white jersey from 1995 to 2004, and his goals in the Champions League against Porto (two) and Marseille will be remembered, when he was the only scorer for the Belgrade club in UEFA's elite.
After that, he wore the jerseys of Mallorca, Benfica, Braga, AEK, Beira Mar, Sociedad, Hercules, Rayo Vallecano, Ratchaburi and finally, briefly, his Sutjeska again.
Apart from Partizan, he left his biggest mark in Vallecas.
When it came to the national team, he was part of the great generation of Serbia and Montenegro that reached the final of the 21 U-2004 European Championship, and after the restoration of independence, he played for Montenegro.
He made his debut for the "Falcons" on October 10, 2009 against Georgia in Gorica and immediately won everyone's hearts after scoring the winning goal in the World Cup qualifiers.
Two years later, he directed the most famous goal in the history of our national team when he headed past Joe Hart, earning the "falcons" a point against the country that gave the world football (2:2) and taking Montenegro into the play-offs for Euro 2012.
After his playing career, he tried his hand as a coach, and then as sports director of Budućnost.
He was equally dedicated and had the same desire for success in his new role, but life - as beautiful as it was on that October 7, 2011 - can sometimes be unfair.
Andrija left too soon, but the familiar chant can still be heard from the stands under Gorica: Andrija, Andrija, Delibašić Andrija.
And it will always be heard, because Montenegro has an obligation to preserve the memory of a great football player and a great man.
Bonus video:
