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What Happened to Josip Ilicic? Who is Josip Ilicic?

Josip Iličić faced challenges with COVID-19 and fell into depression, impacting his ability to play, but he recovered and is now doing well, as described by his former teammate Alejandro Gomez.

by Jayasree

Updated Jul 02, 2024

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What Happened to Josip Ilicic? Who is Josip Ilicic?

What Happened to Josip Ilicic?

Josip Ilicic, a talented footballer from Slovenia, faced a tough time due to COVID-19 and depression. Before COVID, he was a star player for Atalanta, scoring many goals in Serie A. But when the pandemic hit, he struggled mentally, feeling so bad that he thought about quitting football.

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His teammate Alejandro Gomez said Ilicic fell into depression after getting COVID-19, feeling like he couldn't keep playing. He took a break from football for almost a year. But he didn't give up. He found new hope playing for NK Maribor and scoring goals again. Now, at 36 years old, he's back playing for Slovenia in Euro 2024, inspiring others with his comeback story from tough times.

Who is Josip Ilicic?

Josip Iličić is a professional footballer from Slovenia. He plays primarily as a forward, known for his versatility to also play as a second striker or winger. Iličić started his career in Slovenia with clubs like Bonifika, Interblock, and Maribor before moving to Italy in 2010 to join Palermo.

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He later played for Fiorentina and had a successful stint with Atalanta from 2017 to 2022, where he earned recognition for his goal-scoring ability and was included in the Serie A Team of the Year. He returned to Maribor in 2022.

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Personal Information

Details

Date of Birth

29 January 1988

Place of Birth

Prijedor, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia

Height

1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)

Position(s)

Second striker, winger

Current Team

Maribor

Number

72

Age

Josip Iličić was born on January 29, 1988, which makes him 36 years old as of 2024. He was born in Prijedor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, but moved to Slovenia at a young age. He had a long and successful career in professional football, playing primarily as a forward for clubs in Slovenia and Italy. He started playing professionally in Slovenia before moving to Palermo in Italy in 2010.

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Career

Josip Iličić's football career began in Slovenia with clubs like Bonifika and Interblock, where he showcased his talent as a forward. In 2010, he moved to Italy to join Palermo, marking his entry into Serie A. His time at Palermo saw him scoring crucial goals against top Italian teams.

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In 2013, he transferred to Fiorentina, where he continued to impress with his goal-scoring abilities. However, it was at Atalanta from 2017 to 2022 where Iličić truly shone, scoring consistently and helping the team achieve notable successes in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.

Known for his technical skills, strong left foot, and ability to play multiple attacking roles, Iličić returned to Maribor in 2022 after a successful stint in Italy. His career has been marked by achievements on the pitch, including being named in Serie A's Team of the Year and representing Slovenia internationally.

Josip Ilicic Weight

Josip Iličić weighs 79 kilograms, which is approximately 174 pounds. His weight is an important factor in his performance as a professional footballer, contributing to his strength and physical presence on the field. As a tall player at 1.90 meters (6 feet 3 inches), his weight helps him in aerial duels and physical contests with opposing players. Maintaining an optimal weight is crucial for athletes like Iličić to ensure they have the endurance and agility needed to excel during matches.

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Ilicic Josip Wife

Josip Iličić's wife is Tina Polovina. She is a former athlete who represented Slovenia in 400-meter races before transitioning to a career in the Education Ministry in Slovenia. Tina prefers a private life and maintains a low profile on social media, with a private Instagram account and minimal posts. Despite Josip's high-profile career in Italy with Atalanta, Tina lives and works in Slovenia, balancing her professional responsibilities with her role as a mother to their two daughters.

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The couple got engaged in 2009 and has been married for over a decade, supporting each other through challenges including Josip's mental health struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their strong bond and dedication to their family have been evident through Josip's public displays of affection and their shared commitment to overcoming obstacles together.

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