Today is all of your birthdays rolled into one; A reward for sitting around watching any kind of useless, meaningless football over the summer because there wasn’t any Inter. For one day only, every supporter can dream of success and glory without their positive thoughts being tainted by a negative performance or result. The first match day of the season brings freshness, a sense of hope, and a clean slate where all the ills of the past can be temporarily forgotten. Until the referee blows the whistle for kick off in the opening fixture the footballing world is at your team’s feet.
This week I’m going to write about a man who was an integral part of making all our footballing dreams come true. Before Walter Mazzarri’s side kickoff the new campaign at home to Genoa, the Meazza will say goodbye to one of its favourite sons. Dejan ‘Deki’ Stankovic played 321 times for the Nerazzurri scoring a total of 41 goals. ‘Il Drago’ has spent nearly a decade wearing Inter’s shirt with distinction and his never say die attitude has seen Interisti worldwide return the love that he so clearly feels for the club. Here is an extract from his letter after taking the painful decision to end his nine and a half year association with Inter.
“Dear Nerazzurri fans, this is your ‘Drago’ speaking, with a sense of emotion but also with great pleasure. I don’t know if I can find the right words to say goodbye and to thank you properly for everything you have given me, your affection, your trust and your honesty. The last ten years have been the best of my life. I have grown both as a man and, with immense joy, as a footballer”.
He went on to say
“It’s been an honour to wear these colours and they will always remain on my skin. I’ll never remove them; nobody can ever remove them”.
From the moment he scored directly from a corner kick in his first Milan derby, ‘Deki’ has always been in the hearts of Interisti. His intensity, passion and the ability to be a leader of men when everything turned to crap were just a few of the characteristics that made him a hero to the Curva Nord. To be blunt Dejan Stankovic was the complete midfielder. He could pass, shoot, break up play and lead attacks with his powerful running style. In his prime there was virtually nothing the Serbian couldn’t do from his midfield role. When faced with adversity such as the uncertainty following Jose Mourinho’s arrival in Milano, Stankovic responded in typical style: he grafted. He earned his new coaches trust the good old fashion way. Often bleeding for the shirt Stankovic remained a figurehead at the club right up until his departure.
Who can forget his cameo role away at Catania last season? when for just one half of football he rolled back the years and reminded us what a fantastic player he was. He gave Interisti countless great memories at home and abroad when representing the club in Europe. From his fantastic header in a Champions League demolition in Valencia, to the rocket shot he struck versus Milan in 2009. Dejan Stankovic delivered in every way whilst wearing the Nerazzurri shirt.
Today the Curva Nord will get to chant their heroes name one last time as Deki bids farewell to the stadium that has become his home. As the legends of the Triplete continue to move on from Inter, no one should ever forget the roar this dragon made while representing our club.
Ciao Deki, Grazie. Forza Il Drago per sempre!
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