@FootynewsThe hardest part of Mirko Saric's story is how many doors were still open when it closed. An Argentine midfielder out of San Lorenzo, he got his Primera debut at 18 with Oscar Ruggeri picking him, and by the late 1990s the talk in Argentina was that he could grow into the next Fernando Redondo. Real Madrid's name entered the conversation too. Elegant on the ball, technical, and physically imposing for his age, he looked like a career that was only getting started. Then it came apart in pieces. A switch in position threw off his form, so back to the reserves he went, and a serious ligament injury landed on top of that. His personal life was no kinder. A DNA test confirmed the baby his partner was expecting was not his. He was in psychiatric care. Ruggeri, looking back years later, remembered something Saric had said to him: "I don't see the point in living any longer." The evening before his death he sat down to eat with his mother and father and told them, "You two are wonderful parents, but my problem has no solution." April 4, 2000. Mirko Saric died by suicide at 21 years old. So much promise, and none of it had a chance to become anything. Rest in peace, Mirko. 🕊️

@FootynewsThe hardest part of Mirko Saric's story is how many doors were still open when it closed. An Argentine midfielder out of San Lorenzo, he got his Primera debut at 18 with Oscar Ruggeri picking him, and by the late 1990s the talk in Argentina was that he could grow into the next Fernando Redondo. Real Madrid's name entered the conversation too. Elegant on the ball, technical, and physically imposing for his age, he looked like a career that was only getting started. Then it came apart in pieces. A switch in position threw off his form, so back to the reserves he went, and a serious ligament injury landed on top of that. His personal life was no kinder. A DNA test confirmed the baby his partner was expecting was not his. He was in psychiatric care. Ruggeri, looking back years later, remembered something Saric had said to him: "I don't see the point in living any longer." The evening before his death he sat down to eat with his mother and father and told them, "You two are wonderful parents, but my problem has no solution." April 4, 2000. Mirko Saric died by suicide at 21 years old. So much promise, and none of it had a chance to become anything. Rest in peace, Mirko. 🕊️