Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – Among the most intense and emotional moments of the 2026 Euro-Mediterranean Excellence Award ceremony, which took place today in Rome in the Spadolini Hall of the Ministry of Culture, was the awarding of the Special Memorial Prize dedicated to Sinisa Mihajlović, the unforgettable Serbian footballer and coach who left a profound mark on the world of football and in the hearts of millions of fans.
During the event, which also included prominent football figures such as Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri, Gennaro Gattuso, and Alessandro Moggi, among the honorees, the award was presented to Mihajlović's family amidst a highly attended and emotional ceremony.
Making the tribute even more significant was the presentation of a work by the artist and painter from the Marche region, Benito Macerata, who wanted to dedicate his work to the figure of the former Serbian champion.
An artistic tribute that goes beyond a simple sporting memory and aims to celebrate the moral strength, courage, and determination that characterized Mihajlović's life, both on and off the pitch. Macerata's work is intended as a symbol of memory and gratitude, capable of transforming into images the values that made Sinisa an example for entire generations: Sinisa in everyone's "heart" (a distinguishing feature of Macerata's works), with his ability to face difficulties with dignity, his passion for his work, and his authentic connection with the public and the world of sport.
“The delivery of this work to Sinisa Mihajlović's family represents for me a gesture of great human and symbolic significance.
Through art, I wish to pay homage to his legacy, his courage, his determination, and the values he conveyed on and off the pitch. Sinisa's memory lives on through the affection of those who knew, respected, and admired him. It is in this spirit that I present this painting as a sign of respect and profound appreciation,” said Benito Macerata.
These words capture the true meaning of the initiative: preserving the memory of a man who, beyond his sporting successes, left a legacy of strength, humanity, and resilience. Through the universal language of art, Macerata's work thus becomes a bridge between memory and the present, a tangible sign of affection for the Mihajlović family and all those who continue to identify with the values embodied by the Serbian champion.
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