Remember Dzajic: Serbian footballer praised by football legends

Some of them are remembered by the compliments they receive from their fans, those who gladly share their salary, week after week, just to watch them play.

For Serbian Dragan Dzajic, his country's greatest talent, the best moment was not but the one with Pelen. “Dzajic is the century of the Balkans a true magician,” said Brazil's legendary assailant, since both fought in 1968, “I'm sorry he's not Brazilian because I've never seen such a natural player”.

Since then, no Serb has come out, and hardly will come out any better than Dzajic, even though after 40 years he finished his career.

He signed Crvena Ziesden in 1963, when he was only 17 years old. In his first steps with Crvena Ziesda, his 12 successful seasons are preceded by two seasons in France to the Bastia team, before spending the last season in Belgrade, Dzajic won five titles and four cups.

Just a year after he played for the club, Dzajic was also placed in Serbian representation. He completed 84 presentations and became a key Serb player.

No season was better than the one in 1968.

Helping Crvena Zvezda win the Cup and league, Dzajic travelled with Yugoslavia to Italy to participate in the European Championship.

With only four participating teams who were in fashion in the 1960s they had to play in the semifinals with an air superpower like England, and Italy had to play with the Soviet Union.

The Italians equated 0.0 with the Soviet Union, they did not pass to the finals with the penalty or my extra, the winner was selected by the currency throw, where the winner, however, was Italy, while Yugoslavia went to the finals for Dzajici.

It was 87th minute, and the result was 0:0, many thought that this too would have the fate of the first match when the winner had to be determined to throw the coin. Dzajic accepted a cross on which he checked it with his chest, he scored at Gordon Banks' gate, so sending Yugoslavia for the first time to the finals.

In Rome, three days later, Dzaijc again played the role of an architect, he created a goal for his fellow players, defeating Italy's goalkeeper Dino Zoff and giving the minimum superiority to Yugoslavia before the first part. But, the match ended 1:1 and had to play the promotional match they lost 2.0.

Dzajic, though refused to win the European title, managed to be placed third in the top star of GoldenTopi, behind George Best and Bobby Charlton. But German defender Franz Beckenbauer said Dzajic deserved first place.

But referring to success in Serbia, his memorable role in Crvena Zvezda's team, and the play that Yugoslavia sent close to winning the European Championship, Dzajic certainly remains Serbia's best football player. /Periscope.