Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti paid tribute to former teammate Sinisa Mihajlovic, after the ex-defender passed away yesterday following a lengthy battle against leukaemia.
Mihajlovic represented Inter from 2004 until 2006 and then served as assistant coach to Roberto Mancini upon his retirement from playing, and was a teammate of former captain Zanetti as the Nerazzurri began a period of dominance in Serie A from 2006 until 2010.
In an interview published in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zanetti recounted his memories of the former Serbia and Yugoslavia star, and admitted that whilst their personalities differed, they got on well and Mihajlovic was instrumental to Inter’s success.
“I agree, by nature Sinisa was different from me, but I liked being with him and we both worked for the good of the group,” Zanetti claimed.
“This was something that united us a lot, understanding what the other guys needed in the dressing room.
“Another thing we had in common was the desire to win; for us, training and matches were the same thing, we always gave our all. I don’t forget that our cycle began with his arrival at Inter.”
Zanetti also felt that Mihajlovic’s background, set against the backdrop of the war in Yugoslavia, affected him and shaped him significantly.
“Sinisa was not diplomatic, but it never happened to me to think that he could have avoided expressing an opinion too directly perhaps. Meanwhile, I felt great respect towards him and he rarely said anything out of place. Every word he said made sense.
“Surely the war in the Balkans had left an evident mark on him. Sinisa was a profound man, I remember many of his reflections on war and disease.”
The former Argentina captain recalled his first encounter with Mihajlovic, who caught the eye with Red Star Belgrade before moving to Serie A with Roma in 1992, and moving to Sampdoria in 1994.
“It happened on the pitch during a match between Inter and Sampdoria. I already knew him for his excellent career in Red Star, the club with which he had won the European Cup, and with Roma.
“There were so many battles against him. He was a very strong defender, now starting attacks from the back is in fashion and he did so very well with that left foot, also because he had started as a full-back.
“When he took free-kicks, he was crazy. When he came to Inter, he had great challenges in Appiano Gentile with Alvaro Recoba and then with Juan Sebastian Veron.
“First of all I thought he was a man of great personality. And then a fighter. When I played against Sinisa, I was happy because I liked the challenges against gritty players. He never gave up.”
Zanetti also revealed what Mihajlovic was like both as a teammate, and then as a coach after making the step up to work under Mancini.
“He was very generous. He liked being in a team, he knew how to have a joke and was always very positive. I remember the joy when we won the Coppa Italia thanks to one of his free kicks,” Zanetti went on.
“Both as a teammate and as a coach he was a real person. He always showed great personality and character and he was a loyal man.
“Having people like that in the dressing room raised the level of the group. To win, you need people like Sinisa, who always stood up in times of difficulty.”
Mihajlovic was first diagnosed with leukaemia in 2019, and Zanetti praised him for the manner in which he battled against the disease.
“Many moments have linked us, but if I have to choose one, my mind goes back to the first meeting after the announcement of his illness,” he continued.
“We exchanged a very big hug inside which there was everything and the feeling that bound us. I saw him smiling despite everything, it was a great lesson.
“I was struck by his strength, which was there for all to see. The ability to challenge evil with the dual objective of healing and making the family suffer as little as possible in the process of treatment and therapy.
“One day a lady came to me because her daughter had leukaemia and asked me for two videos of encouragement, one from me and one from Sinisa. He was very kind and his message moved me and still moves me now.
“I want to send a huge hug to the family of Sinisa, his wife and the children must be proud of him and they certainly are. He was always smiling despite everything.
“I’m sorry I’m not in Italy, but as soon as I can meet them I will hug them tightly. Today they are suffering a lot and they must know that they are not alone,” Zanetti added.
Mihajlovic, who passed away at 53, made 43 appearances for Inter and lifted the Coppa Italia twice and won the Serie A title with the club.
