Franco Baresi leads the tributes to Sinisa Mihajlovic following his passing from leukaemia

Italian icon Franco Baresi led the tributes paid to former Yugoslav footballer and former AC Milan manager Sinisa Mihajlovic, who died at the age of 53 after a battle with leukaemia.

The former Lazio and Inter Milan star succumbed to his illness following a struggle of more than three years after having been on the bench at Italian club Bologna just three months ago.

Former Italy and AC Milan captain Baresi led tributes to Mihajlovic after he passed away at a clinic in Rome on Friday.

Sinisa Mihajlovic, pictured as the Bologna boss, has died aged 53 after a battle with leukaemia.

The former defender said: ‘Hello, warrior, you fought with your head held high until the end, real man. RIP.’

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also paid her respects, saying: “You fought like a lion on the pitch and in life.” You have been an example and have given courage to many who are facing the disease.

You have been described as an iron sergeant, you have shown that you have a big heart. You are and always will be a winner. To God Sinisa Mihajlovic.’

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini added: ‘I don’t want to believe it, you fucking bastard disease. Good trip #Sinisa, champion on and off the field. We are going to miss you very much.’

AC Milan have paid tribute by tweeting: ‘The sky has gained another legend. We will miss you very much, Siniasa.

Serie A teammate Sampdoria also posted: ‘Ciao Sinisa’. While Inter Milan also joined in writing: ‘You are never ready to greet a fellow traveler. Hello Siniasa.

One of his former clubs, Lazio, posted a statement on its website from president Claudio Lotito: ‘SS Lazio mourns the passing of Sinisa Mihajlovic: a great Lazio man, a warrior on the pitch and in life.

‘His courage on the field was second only to that which he displayed in the face of serious illness, which never weakened his spirit and temper.

This big-hearted fighter will leave an indelible mark on the history of Lazio, not only for having been Italian Champion, but for the message of hope in the face of the difficulties he knew how to represent until the last moment of his life.

We will remember him as he deserves, with the infinite embrace of his team and his people.

Our deepest condolences to the family.

Mihajlovic played 63 times and scored 10 goals for Yugoslavia between 1991 and 2003, playing in both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

His club career saw him play for Red Star Belgrade in his home country, helping them win the European Cup in 1991, before moving to Italy, where he played for prominent Serie A clubs Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter Milan.

It was his six seasons at Lazio that saw Mihajlovic achieve considerable success, helping them win the Serie A title in 1999-2000 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998-99.

He would win a second Scudetto with Inter in the 2005-06 season, as well as four Italian Cups in total.

Mihajlovic had been on the bench with Bologna just three months ago.

He was first diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia in July 2019, but continued his coaching duties at Bologna despite undergoing bone marrow treatment and three cycles of chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, he suffered a relapse of the disease in March, which meant another round of treatment.

Bologna was the last stop in a coaching career that also saw him in charge of Fiorentina, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Torino, Sporting Lisbon and the Serbian national team.

Mihajlovic was sacked by Bologna in early September after an opening five games without a win in the Serie A campaign.

More to follow…