She has endured years, decades, centuries, lived in several countries, and what has always adorned her is respect in the region, across generations, from great rivals, from football legends...
This summer, our biggest football club celebrated its 100th birthday, and it also celebrated two birthday celebrations - one by leading figures, the other organized by fans, with club legends in the foreground.
In honor of the big date, big football names from this region also spoke about the blue-and-white club - Vladimir Petrovic Pijon, Mehmed Baždarević, Ljubomir Radanović, Robert Prosinecki i Sasa Ilic for "Vijesti", and we also bring statements from many others for other media over the years...
MEHMED BAŽDAREVIĆ, THE LEGEND OF THE RAILWAY WORKER
First of all, we were always welcomed in Titograd, but it was always extremely difficult. There was always fear before the matches against Buducnost, but above all respect, because Buducnost was a serious team and had serious players. I was not lucky enough to play against a weaker team, but perhaps against the strongest team in the club's history, against exceptional masters. Fear and trepidation for all teams... Željo was always welcomed, there was mutual respect, and I remember the matches against Buducnost as a beautiful part of my football life. Montenegro is a country of football, there have always been great players and there will always be.
VLADIMIR PETROVIĆ PIŽON, RED STAR LEGEND
Buducnost has always been a difficult opponent. It is true that Red Star was the favorite in those duels, but no game was easy, you could never be sure that you would win in the duels against that club. They always had excellent players - from Mojaš Radonjić, via Dragan Vujovic's ass, from Dragoje Leković - they were a tough team and had an advantage on a bad pitch. I'm still good friends with everyone today - we were rivals when it came to playing, but all within the right limits.
SAŠA ILIĆ, LEGENDARY PARTIZAN CAPTAIN
Buducnost was still a name in the old Yugoslavia, and many of its players later played for the national team. I played several times under Gorica, every game was uncertain, the stands were full, it was a great atmosphere. The essence of the story is that Buducnost is a symbol of Montenegro. I remember Miročević, A petite, then Savićević i Mijatović as one of the greatest. From this generation I know Petar Grbić with whom I am good friends, Igor Ivanovic, Vladan Adzic and the others.
ROBERT PROSINEČKI, CROATIAN LEGEND AND FORMER MONTENEGRO COACH
First of all, I would like to congratulate FK Budućnost on their great anniversary, 100 years since their foundation. That is a big number and certainly a big deal, and it is a club that, without a doubt, has a great tradition. I remember when we used to come to Titograd, which is now Podgorica, during the old Yugoslavia. It was always difficult for us to win points there, those were very difficult games for us. Budućnost had a good team and great players, who later played in big clubs abroad, where they also made a difference.
LJUBOMIR RADANOVIĆ, LEGEND OF THE LOVCEN AND PARTIZANS
I always saw Buducnost as my club, when I came to Podgorica I felt like I was going home. I remember the Titograd tournament - Buducnost, Partizan and Olympiacos played, and Savićević was the youngest player, Mance the best scorer, and I am the best player. I am also connected to Buducnost because I played my last match for Partizan against the “blue and whites” in Belgrade. It is a club that has always had brilliant players, was full of self-confidence, aggressiveness and it was not easy to play under Gorica - after the big four of Yugoslav football, it was the most difficult to play there.
ZLATKO DALIĆ, CROATIA COACH AND FORMER PLAYER OF THE FUTURE
I was sad when I left Buducnost and Titograd. Buducnost was a healthy environment for young players, and the city was great, the audience lived for football. I'm glad that they remember me at least a little in Montenegro and that Croatia has fans in your country. Football is the most beautiful sport, and we are neighbors, so it's good to hear that.
DON'T MISS IT
DARKO PANČEV, EUROPEAN GOLDEN BOOTER 1991.
Buducnost has always had a strong team, with many outstanding players and talents who grew into football greats of the former Yugoslavia. I know many of them personally.
MIROSLAV ĆIRO BLAŽEVIĆ, LEGENDARY CROATIAN COACH
The stadium in Titograd was an impregnable fortress. You had to be very prepared to get something out of it, but those were good times. I have fond memories of all the players of Buducnost, they are some of the greatest of all time in this region - Savićević, Mijatović, Petrović... All of them are players who must not be forgotten and will not be forgotten.
FARUK HADŽIBEGIĆ, LEGEND OF SARAJEVO AND FORMER HEAD COACH OF MONTENEGRO
The hardest part was playing at the stadium under Gorica and at Poljud in Split - Buducnost and Hajduk have always had good teams and big ambitions. And it was a kind of friendly rivalry between Buducnost and Sarajevo - they always had a big motive to beat the burgundy team, at least that's how I felt.
VLADIMIR VERMEZOVIĆ, FORMER PARTIZAN FOOTBALLER AND COACH OF THE “BLACK AND WHITES” AND THE FUTURE
Podgorica was one of the most difficult away games in the former Yugoslavia, partly because of the pitch, partly because of Guz (Dragan Vujović) and Dej (Dejan Savićević).
REFIK ŠABANADŽOVIĆ, EUROPEAN CHAMPION WITH RED STAR
Buducnost was a terror to everyone in the SFRY, they always had great support from the stands and played attractive football. I played against Buducnost with both Željezničar and Red Star and I remember that - when I came with Želja - we always said that Podgorica was one of the most difficult away games.
ZVONIMIR BOBAN, LEGENDARY DINAMO AND MILAN FOOTBALLER
It is interesting that I scored my first senior goal against Budućnost - it was the realization of blue dreams and family hopes. The match was difficult, tough and with little football. Dinamo celebrated 1:0 - a cross from Marko Mlinarić for my immature head. And, that match also gave me a football genius and great friend, Dejan Savićević.
Bonus video:
