Genoa defender Alessandro Vogliacco shared a message he received from Sinisa Mihajlovic a year ago after making his Serie A debut against Atalanta on Sunday: ‘Never give up.’
Vogliacco is married to one of Sinisa’s daughters Virginia. They also have a daughter, Violante, born in October 2021.
Vogliacco, a 25-year-old Genoa defender, made his Serie A debut on Sunday in a 2-0 loss against Atalanta in Bergamo.
After the game, he wrote on his Instagram account that his debut was not as he had imagined because of Genoa’s loss, although “this team would take great satisfaction during our path.”
He also shared a very personal Whatsapp message he received from Mihajlovic on November 22, 2022, less than a month before Sinisa’s death.
Mihajlovic had replied to a goodnight message from the Genoa defender, writing: “Good night, Ale, stay strong and you’ll see that everything will get solved. When the going gets tough, the tough start playing. I love you too.” Vogliacco answered: “I promise you, never give up.”
The Genoa defender added a comment to the picture: “The 22 was written in the book of fate. I promise we’ll never give up.”
Mihajlovic sent that message on November 22, 2022, while Vogliacco made his Serie A debut on October 22, 2023.
Virginia, daughter of Mihajlovic, also published an Instagram story after seeing her husband make his first appearance in Italy’s top flight: “Alessandro made his Serie A debut yesterday and you, dad, are aware of Alessandro’s hard work during these years.
“He never asked for help from anyone and you’ve always supported him as a dad does with his son. I know you would have done anything for him, as you always did for us. I saw in your eyes and in your actions how much you loved him.
“I am sure you would have called him yesterday, as you always did. You came to visit me in my dreams to confirm once again that you are here with us. I missed you more than usual yesterday because I would have called to tell you. I couldn’t do it, so you did it. I don’t think it’s a coincidence, nothing happens by chance.”
