Yahoo News Top ref shares brilliant Matija Sarkic story as grief-stricken Robert Prosinecki leads Montenegro mourning
Amid the shock and devastation following the death of Matija Sarkic at the age of 26, tributes and stories have emerged which show why he was held in such high regard as a goalkeeper and young man.
There is one such anecdote from top referee Bobby Madley, who met Sarkic when he took charge of his first under-19s European Qualifying game in March 2016 between Montenegro and a France team featuring Kylian Mbappe.
"Matija was the captain which, as a goalkeeper, isn't the easiest for a referee," explained Madley in a post on social media. "Standing in the tunnel before the game, Matija came down and shook hands. Given that my grasp of the Montenegrin language wasn't the best, in a shocking broken English accent I tried to explain to Matija with many hand gestures and ridiculous facial expressions that as captain and goalkeeper it would be hard to work with him.
"My question of, 'Is there player in team, speak English, maybe can speak with me if problem today?' was met with a blank look from Matija. I tried again with even worse broken English and the stone look remained on his face.
"I was defeated. I looked at Matija and said, 'Clearly I'm wasting my time and getting nowhere.' Matija half smiled. He replied in a strong Balkan accent, 'Nine. Speak English him.'
"Delighted and very proud of myself I replied, 'Ah you understand English little. This is good. He speak good English?'
"Matija smiled and replied... 'Yeah, it's not bad, it's my brother Oliver, we're from Grimsby. I just wanted to see how long you'd carry that nonsense on!'
"He'd done me like a kipper. I didn't know Matija but I had the honour of sharing a pitch with this young man. That funny moment in the tunnel has stayed with me and I was devastated to hear this news."
READ MORE: Stoke City, Millwall, Aston Villa and Birmingham pay tribute to Matija Sarkic
Montenegro manager Robert Prosinecki was almost lost for words as he held a press conference yesterday. It wasn't even a fortnight ago when he had been praising Sarkic's bravery and ability in a match against Belgium.
He said: "It's hard for me to talk, it's hard to say anything... I'm still in disbelief, I still can't accept that it actually happened, that Matija is no longer with us.
"A great guy, a human boulder, an example for everyone. A great goalkeeper. I can say world class and we were all looking forward to many of his performances in the future. The work ethic that adorned him was a guarantee that Matija would reach the heights he deserved.
"Unfortunately, fate was stronger than his dedication and commitment to the work he was doing. Matija will be remembered by all of us in the national team as a smiling giant, a boy full of optimism and a positive spirit. We will miss him at every gathering, at every training session, and at every game we play."
Flowers and tributes have been left at Millwall, where Sarkic - who was on loan at Stoke from Wolves last year - was a hugely popular figure since joining last summer.
A commemorative service will be held in Montenegro's national theatre on Tuesday morning.
Montenegro president Jakov Milatovic said: "It was with disbelief that I received the news about the death of Matija Šarkić, the goalkeeper of the football team of Montenegro.
"His premature departure represents an irreparable loss for his family, our football, sport and Montenegro. A shining talent, combativeness on the field and chivalrous spirit are the qualities that adorned our Matija and for which we will forever remember him. In these difficult moments, I send my deepest condolences to the family and the entire Montenegrin and the football public."
Jonathan Gould, who was Stoke's goalkeeper coach during the player's time at the bet365 Stadium, shared a highlights reel of Sarkic's performance in that Belgium game.
He added: "He was an exceptional young man and a fabulous talent. Matija, so sorry you have left us."
