The Argentine genius who fell prematurely after realizing that there are bad people in the world
Your biggest worry was always not understanding that there are bad people in the world.’
Martin Saric wrote this in an emotional letter written on the 20th anniversary of the death of his older brother Mirko Saric. Martin meant that Mirko was such an honest and positive-minded person that he could never believe that anyone could be bad or have bad intentions. Simplicity and trust were his biggest weaknesses.
Both brothers were footballers. Both were midfielders. Martin grew up in the age group of the Argentine club San Lorenzo with his older brother, who was one year older. But he could not make a name for himself like his brother. Many in Argentine football still sigh when remembering his brother. At that time, Martin’s brother Mirko had become one of the most promising young footballers. Argentina dreamed of him. This boy would bring fame to the country, make a name for himself in Europe — all these discussions were around him.
But it will take some time to fulfill the dream. Unfortunately, Mirko Saric did not give himself that time. According to the sentence in the letter written by his brother Martin, there are bad people in the world – Mirko committed suicide at the age of 21 after realizing this!
Born to Croatian parents in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, Mirko was handsome. According to the Argentine newspaper Clarin, he was not only an extraordinary footballer, but also looked like he had just finished the catwalk on stage as a model for a big brand.
Two brothers Mirko Saric (right) and Martin Saric
Two brothers Mirko Saric (right) and Martin SaricPhoto: FIFPro
The media described an incident about this. It was the late nineties. Mirko was leaving the dressing room of San Lorenzo. Everyone was asking him how he was, Mirko was patiently answering everyone’s questions. Not far away, some fans who managed to get around the dressing room. From there, a whisper of sighing could be heard. His girlfriend was telling her boyfriend, a San Lorenzo fan of the same age as Mirko, ‘See how attractive Mirko is!’ The boyfriend’s voice was filled with the disappointment of giving up, ‘So…yes.’
He was in Argentina’s top league team Lorenzo from 1996 to 2000. He also played for Argentina’s under-23 team. Mirko’s statistics of 4 goals in 41 matches for San Lorenzo do not explain him. Although the Argentine magazine El Grafico claims that Mirko scored 5 goals in 52 matches. But even that does not fully reflect his talent.
In December 1999, Mirko suffered a serious injury to the ligaments in his left foot against River Plate. He did not return to the field until his death. Before that injury, there was no agreement with the then coach of San Lorenzo, Oscar Ruggeri, about the position. That’s why he had to sit on the bench. Spanish media outlet Marca reported the incident in Ruggeri’s words, ‘One day he came to my door and said, can I talk? What did I expect? He would say, “I don’t like playing on the left wing.” Because, I played him on the left wing. I don’t know exactly… After I sat on the bed, he said, “I don’t find any meaning in life” – just like that, all of a sudden.’
It’s natural to feel a little shocked when you hear a young man who has passed adolescence and is in the throes of youth say that he can’t find any meaning in life. Ruggeri felt the same that day. Mirko wanted to play in the middle of the field, that’s his position. Ruggeri knew that. But just because the playing position has changed, a young man who has just turned twenty won’t find any meaning in life, that’s not the case. Surely there’s some other problem! Ruggeri thought so and explained to Mirko, ‘You have parents, brothers, friends. Everyone on the team loves you. You play football. You have signed a contract. All of this is what you want.’ Mirko replied, ‘I am not thinking about this.’
Rugeri did not know much about Mirko’s personal life. The former defender, who won the ’86 World Cup, told his father everything on the phone. His father reassured the coach by saying, ‘Don’t worry. He is under the care of a psychologist.’ But everyone was wrong. A few days after Ruggeri told him that he could not find the meaning of life, Mirko did the unexpected.
The question is why? The answer is heartbreaking. Before going into that, it is necessary to provide some information about Mirko. His style of play was similar to Fernando Redondo. Some even compared him to Esteban Cambiasso.
After making his debut in the San Lorenzo first team on December 22, 1996, Mirko played almost regularly until 1998. The following year was the best of his career. But that same year, Mirko suffered a ligament injury and missed the opportunity to join Real Madrid, which left him very disappointed. Even though Redendo was still at Real, the Madrid club had offered 10 million dollars for Mirko, perhaps to get someone like him.
San Lorenzo did not agree. They wanted 13 million dollars for a talent like Mirko. In the end, the transfer did not happen. Even when he was suffering from a foot injury, Mallorca offered 5 million dollars for him. That transfer also fell through.
