Miralem Halilović bids farewell to the Dragons: Representative 'coming of age' brought me the happiest moments of my career

(Patria) - Captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina basketball team Miralem Halilović has bid farewell to the Dragons.

Halilović released a public statement in which he emotionally said "goodbye" to his dearest jersey.

"It has been 18 years since I first put on the jersey of my beloved homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the U-16 national team.

That representative 'coming of age' brought me the greatest victories and the happiest moments of my career, it became part of my identity and what people recognize me for.

Every time I wore the Bosnia and Herzegovina jersey, with great pride and obligation, I strived to be an example, on and off the court, to help younger teammates, to convey the importance of playing for one's country, and to fight for a better future for them one day.

I hope I have succeeded in at least some of that," stated the basketball player of Sarajevo's Bosna.

The recently concluded European Championship was supposed to be the end of a beautiful story, but an unfortunate injury prevented him from playing.

"However, in agreement with the coach, I stayed with the team as captain and I am happy that, in a different way, I could help and be a part of that success.

The next major competition is in 2027, and I believe it is time for some new players to take on important roles and for this national team to have everything it needs to make another great leap forward," Halilović stated.

He also thanked all those who supported him during his representative 'coming of age'.

"First of all, I would like to thank my family, my greatest support through all these years. Thank you for believing in me, for making sacrifices, and for giving me a boost of confidence in all challenging moments.

Thank you to my teammates for all the moments we shared and the atmosphere we built and preserved. We were like one big family.

I thank all the coaches, and especially the late Sabit Hadžić, who gave me my first call-up to the national team, Vedran Bosnić, who honored me with the captain's armband and started this journey, and coach Adis Bećiragić, with whom we achieved the greatest victories of this generation.

A big thank you also to all the members of the professional staff and the medical team who have been with us since my first day: Elvir Bijedić, Azur Sakić, Amer Salihagić, Medin Duškaj, Hajrudin Prolić, and Dr. Hasan Tanović.

Special thanks to BH Fanaticos, for their unconditional support, for accompanying us to away games, as well as to all other fans who supported us all these years.

Two European Championships as captain, victories against France, Slovenia, Greece, and Croatia are certainly the most beautiful memories and things that will be remembered," emphasizes Halilović.

In the end, he stated that the most beautiful memories of the national team were the informal ones.

"However, the most important, the true things, happened behind the spotlight and full arenas. Lifelong friendships, endless journeys, laughter and jokes, late-night conversations, and unbreakable bonds that were formed along the way.

The greatest wealth the national team has brought me. Forever with you, your captain Miralem Halilović," he concluded in his post on his Instagram profile.