International Youth Tournament Honors Late Goalkeeper Matija Šarkić

In a heartfelt tribute, the Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG) has announced the organization of the second annual memorial tournament dedicated to the late goalkeeper Matija Šarkić. Scheduled for April 3-4, 2026, the event will take place at the FSCG training camp and host eight teams of players aged under 14. This tournament aims to honor Šarkić’s legacy, reflecting the immense impact he had on Montenegrin football.

According to Momir Đurđevac, the general secretary of FSCG, the association is committed to ensuring that the tournament is executed flawlessly, honoring the memory of Šarkić, who passed away unexpectedly on June 15, 2022. The tournament will feature notable clubs including Premier League teams Wolverhampton, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, as well as Antwerp from Belgium, Inter Milan, and Partizan Belgrade. Additionally, national teams from Montenegro and Slovenia will participate.

Montenegro will compete in Group A alongside Antwerp, Aston Villa, and Tottenham, while Group B will consist of Inter, Wolverhampton, Partizan, and the Slovenia national team. Đurđevac emphasized that this tournament serves as a fulfillment of promises made by the FSCG to appropriately honor Šarkić for his contributions to the national team. He noted that Šarkić had the potential to play anywhere but chose to represent Montenegro, a decision that showcased his dedication to his home country.

The inaugural tournament was held in Brussels at the British College attended by Šarkić. His father, Bojan Šarkić, expressed gratitude to the FSCG for their support and commitment to honoring his son and his brother, Oliver, who also represented Montenegro with pride. The first tournament was organized rapidly, with teams such as Birmingham, Millwall, Aston Villa, and Wolverhampton participating.

Bojan Šarkić highlighted that Antwerp, having triumphed in Brussels, will have the honor of opening the upcoming tournament with a match against the Montenegrin national team. He also recalled the touching gesture by Slovenian players, who wore black armbands in memory of Matija during an UEFA European Championship match just days after his passing. This act left a lasting impression on the Šarkić family and deserves recognition from Montenegro.

The two-day football celebration is expected to gather 146 young players from five countries, forming eight teams. Nikola Prentić, grassroots manager at FSCG, emphasized the importance of following guidelines related to grassroots football development, which the FSCG began implementing last year. He noted UEFA’s shift in strategy has led to a greater focus on grassroots initiatives, particularly for players under 14 years old.

Prentić explained that the tournament will follow a structured format. Each team will play three matches daily, with games lasting two halves of 20 minutes each, featuring 11 players on the field and rolling substitutions.

Matija Šarkić began his football journey at the age of eight in the academy of Anderlecht, where he spent a decade before moving to Aston Villa. During his time with Villa, he was loaned to various clubs, including Wigan, Stratford, and Scottish club Livingston, where he made a significant impact. In 2020, Wolverhampton purchased his contract after his impressive performances.

He represented the Montenegro national team in nine matches, with his last appearance being just ten days before his untimely death, where he delivered a standout performance against Belgium in Brussels. The upcoming memorial tournament stands as a testament to his legacy and the profound respect he garnered both on and off the pitch.