Mijatovic calls time on playing days
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Article summary
Predrag Mijatovic, who scored the winner in the 1998 UEFA Champions League final, has announced his retirement.
Article body
No motivation
The former Valencia CF, Real Madrid CF and AC Fiorentina player confirmed his decision today, saying: "After 17 years in football I don't have any motivation. I have given my best to all the clubs I have played for. I feel very privileged to have had such a rich career and won so many titles. Whoever I have played for, I have defended the club's shirt 100 per cent."
International record
Mijatovic made 73 appearances for Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro, scoring 28 goals. He began his career with his local team FK Buducnost Podgorica before joining Belgrade giants FK Partizan in 1989. After four seasons he moved on to Spain, signing for Valencia.
Madrid honours
However it was his three seasons at Real Madrid that ignited his career. He scored the only goal of the game against Juventus FC in the 1998 UEFA Champions League final - securing a seventh European Champion Clubs' Cup for Madrid. While at the club he also picked up league championship and European/South American Cup winners' medals before quitting the Bernabéu to join Fiorentina in 1999.
Levante spell
He returned to Spain in 2002 to spend a season in the Segunda División with Levante UD. The 35-year-old has been without a club since the end of the 2002/03 campaign.
