Atalanta star Josip Ilicic discusses why he chose to represent Slovenia after a traumatic childhood and how Sinisa Mihajlovic inspired him to ‘enjoy every second.’
Ilicic will play in tonight’s 2022 World Cup qualifier for Slovenia against Croatia, but he technically could’ve represented either nation, as well as Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.
“I grew up in Slovenia, that country gave me everything, so it’s logical for me that I should play for them,” Ilicic told 24sata.hr.
Atalanta star Josip Ilicic discusses why he chose to represent Slovenia after a traumatic childhood and how Sinisa Mihajlovic inspired him to ‘enjoy every second.’
Ilicic will play in tonight’s 2022 World Cup qualifier for Slovenia against Croatia, but he technically could’ve represented either nation, as well as Bosnia-and-Herzegovina.
“I grew up in Slovenia, that country gave me everything, so it’s logical for me that I should play for them,” Ilicic told 24sata.hr.
“I feel Croatian, Bosnian and Slovenian. I was born in Bosnia, my family lives in Croatia, it wasn’t easy to choose, but Slovenia gave me everything and there’s no turning back time now.”
Ilicic had a traumatic childhood as the former Yugoslavia was breaking down, as his family was of Croatian ethnicity in Bosnia and his father was killed by a neighbour in their majority-Serbian town.
This prompted his mother and siblings to flee, becoming war refugees in Slovenia when Ilicic was only one year old.
It was also that trauma which contributed to the bout of depression he suffered last year, which saw him take several months out before returning to Atalanta.
“I have been through a lot, I even seriously thought about quitting football, but thank God I now am where I am. All these years at the top level are the best recompense for the effort I put into my career.
“I look at everything differently now. Look what happened to Sinisa Mihajlovic: I try to enjoy every second with my family and every smile.”
Bologna coach Mihajlovic was diagnosed with leukaemia almost two years ago and made a full recovery.