In the world of football, where narratives are often painted in strokes of glory and despair, Josip Ilicic`s story stands out as a profound tapestry of both. Known for his elegant dribbling, pinpoint passes, and a left foot capable of unlocking any defense, the Slovenian maestro recently offered a rare glimpse into the depths of his journey. From the bustling pitches of Italian Serie A to the quiet battlefields of his own mind during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ilicic’s reflective interview reveals a player whose brilliance was matched only by his profound personal struggles.
A Journey Forged in the Streets
At 37, Ilicic finds himself in Koper, Slovenia, a place of quiet restart. The idea of retirement had, for a moment, flickered. “I actually thought about it,” he admits, “but I’ve known the director and president for 25 years. When they asked for my help, I immediately accepted. As long as I`m physically well, I want to enjoy it.” This humble return speaks volumes about a career rooted in resilience.
Born in Bosnia, Ilicic`s early life was marked by adversity; his father passed away when he was just 18 months old. “I grew up with my brother and my mother, who taught me to fight,” he recounts. His signature left foot, those mesmerizing skills, were honed not in academies, but “on the street.” This raw, unpolished talent would soon catch the eye of Italian scouts.
His entry into Italian football was a memorable one. Signed by Palermo, Ilicic was unknowingly sold from Maribor just before a crucial return leg against his future club. “What if I score?” he wondered. He did, and out of respect for his new team, he famously didn`t celebrate. In Palermo, he found a protector in President Zamparini, who “was in love with my football.” Sabatini, Palermo`s Sporting Director at the time, famously noted Ilicic`s “biological sadness,” a peculiar observation that perhaps foreshadowed the deeper emotional layers within the player.
The move to Fiorentina followed, a period Ilicic describes as “complex.” Despite being a top scorer and assist-provider for two of his four years there, he felt a constant undercurrent of criticism. “I was poor? Seriously?” he asks with a hint of irony. “We finished fourth, it wasn`t enough. We reached a Europa League semi-final… and it wasn`t enough.” Though he still owns a house in the beautiful Tuscan city, his sentiment is clear: “With the Florentines, I`m done.”
Atalanta: The Peak of the Maestro’s Artistry
The true blossoming of Josip Ilicic’s career occurred in Bergamo, at Atalanta. A call from Gian Piero Gasperini, the intense and visionary coach, proved to be a turning point. “Mister, I`m going to Genoa,” Ilicic initially responded, already having an agreement. But Gasperini was persistent. The training under Gasperini was legendarily demanding. “Between one training session and the next, you can`t sleep: your legs pulsate, you`re tired, you feel like vomiting,” Ilicic recalls. Yet, it was this brutal regimen that forged a team of unparalleled physical and mental fortitude. “If you pass the pre-season test… then you understand. How many games did we turn around thanks to that running?”
That Atalanta side, featuring talents like Papu Gomez, Luis Muriel, and Mario Pasalic, was a force of nature. “Two years ago, I met Paratici in London. He told me we had a Scudetto-worthy attack. That`s when I understood everything,” Ilicic shares. They were “strong, magical,” scoring five goals against Milan, five against Parma, and two at Anfield. Yet, a trophy eluded them, a persistent regret, especially the 2019 Coppa Italia final, where a perceived refereeing error against Lazio still stings. “I’ve lost four finals, but that one remains the worst.”
The Darkness Descends: COVID-19 and Unseen Battles
Then came Valencia. March 2020. A Champions League round of 16 match. Ilicic scored four goals, a historic feat, propelling Atalanta into the quarter-finals. It was the night of his life, the zenith of his powers. “I was in the best form I`d ever seen, and we weren`t afraid of anyone,” he asserts, believing they could have reached the Champions League final. “And in the meantime, the world began to stop, turning off the light…”
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic plunged Ilicic into a profound personal crisis. While the world halted, Bergamo became an epicenter of tragedy, an image etched forever in his memory: “coffins in trucks.” Trapped in Bergamo, isolated for 42 days without his family, he suffered deeply. “I didn`t know if I would play again, and when you`re shut in the house, you start to think. I didn`t care about money, contracts, anything anymore. I wasn`t well.”
Adding to his torment were malicious rumors circulating about his wife`s infidelity. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” he states firmly, heartbroken by the “incredible insults” his wife received. He chose not to deny them publicly, reasoning that it would only invite questions about his own deteriorating health. “Family, friends, and teammates knew the truth.” The trauma of this period, coupled with the lingering grief from the passing of his former Fiorentina teammate Davide Astori years prior, left indelible marks.
Gasperini, his demanding coach, proved to be an unexpected source of empathy. Moved to tears when speaking of Ilicic’s struggles, Gasperini`s belief in his player was unwavering. He famously told Ilicic in 2018, after a serious infection, “Josip, get up, we have to play.” Even at Valencia, after Ilicic asked for a substitution after his third goal, Gasperini ignored him, and Ilicic scored his fourth. “He pushed me beyond the limits I thought I had,” Ilicic reflects, recognizing Gasperini as one of the few who truly understood him.
A Legacy of Love and Resilience
Despite interest from major clubs like Napoli (with Ancelotti calling personally), Milan, and Bologna, Ilicic chose to remain a protagonist at Atalanta. “Better to be a protagonist in Bergamo than one of many in a so-called big club,” he philosophizes. However, physical ailments, primarily tendon issues exacerbated by weight fluctuations, eventually led to his departure in 2022. He candidly admitted to Monchi, then at Sevilla, that he couldn`t maintain the required rhythms. His return to Slovenia was a bittersweet homecoming.
The love from Bergamo, however, has never faded. When Atalanta fans visited him in Maribor in 2023, he was deeply moved. More recently, attending an Atalanta-Real Madrid match in 2024, he heard the fans still chanting his name. Even Luka Modric noted, “You weren`t playing, but the stadium was all for you.” This profound connection, a testament to his impact on the club and its supporters, is a source of immense pride.
Josip Ilicic’s career is a reminder that behind every dazzling goal and every hard-fought victory lies a human story. His journey, marked by exhilarating highs and soul-crushing lows, serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. While trophies may have eluded that legendary Atalanta side, Ilicic finds solace in their lasting impact and the recent Europa League triumph for the club he so dearly loved. “We did crazy things. Truly crazy…” And in those crazy, magical moments, Josip Ilicic carved an unforgettable place in football`s rich history.
