Adnkronos (Adnkronos) –
Sinisa Mihajlovic, a major figure in international football, first as a player for Sampdoria, Roma, Lazio, and Inter Milan in Italy and then as a coach, will receive the Special Memorial Award as part of the fourth edition of the 2026 Euro-Mediterranean International Award for Excellence, known as the "Oscars of the Mediterranean." The award will be presented to the Mihajlovic family during a ceremony scheduled in Rome on October 14, 2026, along with a work dedicated to the great player and coach, created by the artist and painter Benito Macerata from the Marche region.
The Award celebrates not only Mihajlovic's extraordinary sporting career, but above all the man, his character, and the courage with which he faced the most difficult challenges of his life. Mihajlovic has left a profound mark on European football, distinguishing himself through his talent, personality, determination, and leadership. But it is also his personal journey, marked by the battle against illness, which he publicly faced with dignity and great fortitude, that has made him an example to millions.
"Remembering Sinisa Mihajlovic means remembering a great footballer, but above all, a man who faced life with extraordinary strength," the Promotion Committee emphasizes. "His story teaches us that a person's value is measured not only by their achievements, but also by how they face challenges and the legacy they leave behind."
The 2026 Euro-Mediterranean International Excellence Award ceremony will bring together representatives of institutions, diplomacy, sport, culture, art, information, and the social world in Rome.
The event was created with the aim of highlighting individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves in the fields of sport, culture, art, music, information, and social commitment, while also promoting dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding between Europe and the Mediterranean. Special attention will be paid to the role of sport as a tool for dialogue and unity between cultures and generations. In this context, Mihajlovic represents one of the most significant symbols of the 2026 edition. The event will also be attended by institutional and diplomatic representatives from several Euro-Mediterranean countries.
The 2026 Euro-Mediterranean International Award for Excellence is being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Sport and Youth, with the involvement of the Ministry of Culture's Single Guarantee Committee (CUG), and with the support of leading journalism and sports organizations, including USSI – Unione Stampa Sportiva Italiana (Italian Sports Press Union) and AIPS Europe. The decision to award Mihajlovic the Special Memorial Prize therefore represents not only a tribute to a champion, but also a desire to keep alive a message addressed to new generations: courage, dignity, solidarity, respect, and the ability to never give up in the face of adversity. "Not just remembering the champion, but remembering the man. Not just celebrating what he achieved, but what he left behind," is the meaning of the award's recognition. Sinisa Mihajlovic thus continues to be remembered not only for his achievements in football, but for the human example he left on and off the field.
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