Millwall mourns goalkeeper Matija Sarkic after his sudden death
- Matija Sarkic, Millwall's first-choice goalkeeper, was found dead at age 26 in Montenegro, shortly after attending his twin brother's wedding.
- Millwall manager Neil Harris faced the challenge of informing his team about the tragedy and framed it as an opportunity to honor Sarkic during their pre-season and the opening match.
- The emotional impact of Sarkic's death weighed heavily on the team during their first game, emphasizing the importance of community in sports and the struggle of coping with loss.
In Montenegro, tragedy struck when Matija Sarkic, the first-choice goalkeeper for Millwall, was found dead in his apartment at the young age of 26. His death occurred shortly after he served as best man at his twin brother's wedding. Millwall's manager, Neil Harris, received the devastating news early one Saturday morning while preparing for the upcoming season and was faced with the difficult task of addressing his team. Striving to honor Sarkic, the team held a pre-season in his memory and made a collective decision to celebrate his life during their opening match against Watford. Harris emphasized that this tragedy would define them not as footballers but as men, urging the players to honor Sarkic by performing with both skill and emotional resilience. Despite their efforts, the team felt a significant emotional weight during their first game, where they faced the haunting recollection of their loss. The atmosphere was charged as family and friends of Sarkic attended the game, a poignant moment reflecting the profound impact he had on his teammates and the club. Harris wrestled with feelings of having let Sarkic down after the match. This heartfelt journey emphasizes the necessity of community and emotional support in sports, particularly in the face of devastating loss.