The sports world is mourning the loss of Andrija Delibasic, a former Montenegrin forward who won a championship with Benfica in the 2004/05 season. Delibasic had been battling a brain tumor for some time, and the news of his passing has been shared on social media by his former club, Mallorca, where he played in the 2003/04 season.
A Career Marked by Perseverance
Delibasic’s journey in football was marked by his determination and perseverance. He began his career at Partizan, before moving to Spain, where he played for Mallorca. In 2004, he joined Benfica on loan, donning the team’s jersey in five games, totaling 103 minutes, although he didn’t score any goals. After his stint with Benfica, Delibasic went on to play for several clubs, including SC Braga in the 2005/06 season, where he appeared in 10 games and scored four goals. He also played for AEK in Greece, Beira-Mar in Portugal, and Rayo Vallecano, among others, before moving to Thailand to play for Ratchaburi and eventually ending his career in Montenegro with RK Sutjeska.
In a 2023 interview with Mundo Deportivo, Delibasic openly discussed his health struggles, saying, “I’ve been dealing with this for almost a year, since I was diagnosed. Every three months, I have to get an MRI to check if everything is okay, and so far, everything is fine.” Despite his brave face, Delibasic ultimately lost his battle with the brain tumor at the age of 43.
Tributes Pour In
The football community has been quick to pay tribute to Delibasic. SC Braga, one of his former clubs, released a statement expressing their deep sorrow over his passing, offering condolences to his family and friends. “The SC Braga club manifests its profound sorrow for the passing of Andrija Delibasic, a player who represented the club in the 2005/06 season, addressing to the family and friends the most felt condolences. Farewell, Andrija Delibasic,” the statement read. Mallorca also took to social media to mourn the loss of their former player, saying, “We deeply regret the loss of Andrija Delibašić, a former player of the club. We send our condolences to his family and loved ones.” As the news of his passing continues to spread, fans and former teammates alike are taking to social media to share their memories and condolences, celebrating the life and career of a player who left an indelible mark on the sport.