In Memory of Matija Sarkic
Nestled in the serene suburbs of Brussels, the home of Natalie and Bojan Sarkic has been transformed into a poignant tribute to their son Matija, a promising goalkeeper from Montenegro who tragically passed away in June 2024. Their residence, marked by memories of family life with three adult children, now features a basement distinctly dedicated to Matija. This space serves not only as a remembrance but as a sanctuary filled with memorabilia from his sports career.
Memories and Tributes
Family artifacts such as Matija’s last pair of game-worn boots and a life-size cut-out of him adorn the walls.
This was his space, a place where he enjoyed spending time with his father and brothers while watching games.
Natalie recalls, revealing the youth trophies and jerseys that lined the shelves, chronicling Matija’s journey alongside his twin brother Oliver, who also pursued a professional football career.
Bojan, who has held significant diplomatic roles, including acting as Montenegro’s ambassador to the EU, also represented Matija in his professional career. He finds solace in the basement, often reflecting on a team photograph featuring his sons and celebrated players like Youri Tielemans. The emotional decor is further enriched by a memorial banner from a Nations League match—an event that held personal significance as Matija opted to represent Montenegro over England, Natalie’s country of origin.
Tragedy and Investigation
The loss of Matija at the age of 26, due to sudden heart failure while on holiday, has left the family grappling with grief and multiple unanswered questions. His untimely passing came shortly after he was awarded man of the match in a friendly game against Belgium, leading to countless memories overshadowed by the tragedy.
The Sarkic family’s navigation through the past year has been nothing short of a nightmare, compounded by the ambiguity surrounding Matija’s health prior to his death. Despite a clean bill of health from his previous teams, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had conducted heart screenings in 2022, the devastating post-mortem results revealed previously undetected heart failure. In their pursuit of answers, Natalie and Bojan sought the assistance of a private cardiologist, realizing that gaining access to Matija’s medical records from Millwall—his then-current club—would prove frustratingly slow due to legal protocols.
As their investigation unfolded, it emerged that Matija had not received a heart check during the nine months he played with Millwall, a stark contrast to the norm of yearly screenings prevalent in many clubs. While the English Football Association recommends two-year intervals for heart checks for players under 25, Matija, at 26, fell into a gap where regulations appeared blurred—essentially leaving the family feeling unsupported in their search for clarity.
Despite Millwall’s assertion that they had offered Matija a voluntary heart check which he did not attend, the competing claims regarding the adequacy of player safety measures continue to provoke frustration for his loved ones. They express disappointment over the absence of consistent heart screenings, emphasizing the need for tougher regulations in professional football.
Financial Challenges and Community Support
Beyond the emotional turmoil, the family has faced mounting financial difficulties following Matija’s death. Lacking adequate life insurance and unaware of expired protections, Bojan and Natalie’s financial stability has been impacted. They have been relieved, however, by monetary support from the Professional Footballers’ Association, which assists families during such harrowing times.
Last month saw the family organize the inaugural Matija Sarkic Memorial Tournament at the British School of Brussels, a heartfelt event that brought together teams from five of Matija’s former clubs. This gathering celebrated his legacy while providing a rich tapestry of shared memories among family, friends, and former classmates, reflecting on his vibrant personality and fervor for football.
Remembering Matija and Advocating for Change
As they navigate the ongoing grief of living without Matija, Natalie and Bojan remain committed to honoring his memory and addressing the critical need for better health checks in sports to prevent future tragedies. Each day at their home resonates with reminders of Matija’s warmth and joy, propelling them forward as they champion greater awareness in athletics.
This house was meant to be a place for all of us, a testament to Matija’s legacy.
Natalie says, longing to commemorate the spirit of their son while advocating for safeguards that could benefit countless young athletes like him.
