Fuente: © FIFA (English)
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FIFA: President lauds Mitic's contribution

/noticias.info/ The passing of a football legend is always a sad day for the entire football family and today, its head, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has put his thoughts into writing following the death of Rajko Mitic.

Mitic, who scored 32 goals in 59 appearances for the former Yugoslavia, died on Sunday at the age of 85.

In his letter, the FIFA President writes: "Rajko Mitic will always be remembered for his outstanding contribution to football during his entire life. He was an international football star for many years, both with the former Yugoslavian national team as well as at club level, in particular with FK Crvena Zvezda [Red Star Belgrade].

"Among his great performances as a player, he won five domestic titles and four Yugoslavian Cups with FK Crvena Zvezda, played in the 1950 and 1954 FIFA World Cups and was a silver medalist at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Football Tournaments."

Those two Olympic appearances brought two silver medals for the man from Dolac village.

When he hung up his boots, Mitic moved into coaching and enjoyed success for club and country, most notably in 1968 when his selections helped to take Yugoslavia to a runners-up spot at the UEFA European Championship.

Upon his retirement in 1983, Mitic renewed acquaintances with Red Star and he served as a vice-president on the club's board on two separate occasions.

"On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football, I wish to extend our condolences to you, to everyone at the Football Association of Serbia and, most importantly, to Rajko Mitic's family, friends and loved ones," said Blatter in his letter. notas_de_prensa_archivo