“He died in my arms after training!” » The painful testimony of the Serbian footballer about the teammate who was his godfather

Red Star Belgrade released a documentary about the title that ended Partizan's six-year dominance that lasted from the 2007-2008 season to the 2012-2013 season. In the second episode, Rakic ​​was interviewed and remembered his friend who died tragically at the age of 29 in 2015.

The two played together for Red Star Belgrade in the period 2013-2015, and then went together to the Chinese team QD Hainiu. After a training session of the Chinese team, Goran Gogic got hurt after a training session before a match. Goran died in the team coach, in the arms of his son Djordje Rakic.

Djordje Rakic's moving testimony: “Goran Gogic died in my arms. He was my godfather”

Rakic ​​recounted the tragic moment, without giving too many details, visibly affected by the weight of the subject. He mentioned that they were and that they lived together in the same house in China.

“A very difficult and painful subject, perhaps the most painful in my life. I don't wish anyone to go through what I went through. He died after a last practice before the game, in the coach, out of the blue. He literally died in my arms. Going to the hospital, trying to revive him… Everything that followed after that, it's very hard stuff and he doesn't forget it.

We lived together there, in the same apartment, when people go abroad they become even closer, he became my godfather. We told each other our problems, we knew all his plans, he was a very good man and I am very sorry that he left us so young. He is a man who deserves all the honors from this club, because he loved Zvezda with his heart,” Djordje Rakic ​​said, according to sportal.blic.rs.

Goran Gogic in the Red Star Belgrade shirt / Photo: Imago Images

I respect all the members of the generation, all the people who were around the club and in the club, who worked voluntarily, without any interest, but it was Goran Gogic who taught me what Zvezda means and how to love Zvezda.

I came for love, but he was on another level of love for a club. He was part of the club in the youth selections. He knew everyone, was distinguished by his attachment to Zvezda. We from Kragujevac are local patriots, we have something of our own, but he was truly above all. I was lucky enough to know him and have him be my godfather, but also the misfortune to be there when he died and when we all lost him

–Djordje Rakic

Goran Gogic played almost his entire career in Serbia, the experience with the Chinese team being his first abroad. He performed as a central defensive midfielder. In Serbia he also played for Cukaricki, Napredak, Javor-Matis and Jagodina. He has a Serbian Cup and a championship title to his credit.

Djordje Rakic ​​continued his football career after the death of Goran Gogic. After the tragic event he played for the Chinese side ZJ Greentown, NK Lokomotiva, PS Kalamata and Schabmunchen, retiring in 2023.

Djordje Rakic ​​at Red Star Belgrade / Photo: Imago Images

Before leaving for China, Rakic ​​had had experiences in exotic championships. He started his career at Radnicki, then moved to OFK Beograd, followed by a transfer to Western Europe to Salzburg. He also played at Reggina, 1860 Munich, and then he arrived in Qatar at Al-Gharafa, and then played for Al-Arabi. He arrived at Red Star Belgrade from Qatar in 2013.