Rajko Mitić was born on this day

The legendary football player was born in the village of Dol, near Bela Palanka, on November 19, 1922, and died on March 29, 2008. He played for the red and white team for 14 seasons - from its founding on March 4, 1945 until November 1958. He played played 572 games and scored 262 goals, was captain and contributed to winning six titles.

Thanks to his work, the dedication and humanity he radiated, he was loved in all circles, and certainly one of the symbols of the Red Star and the man by whom the rules of behavior of all those who wear red and white colors in their hearts were spontaneously determined.

The vast majority of lovers of red and white colors have never had the opportunity to see on the field the magic performed by the legendary footballer and the first star of the most trophy-winning Serbian club. They only heard that a great gentleman marked the initial era of Red Star with his charisma, football knowledge and goals.

He started playing football in the meadows of Belgrade's Kosutnjak, and continued in the club of the same name, which competed in the third division of Belgrade. In the summer of 1938, he became a member of the youth team of BSK, and later the first team of this pre-war club.

The following year, after the outbreak of World War II in Serbia, his sports development stagnated until 1944, when he continued to play football together with Đajić and Jezerkić. He wore the red and white jersey for fourteen full seasons, and said goodbye in the cup final against Velež from Mostar (4:0). He was the captain of Red Star, which he led to six championship titles (1946, 1951, 1953, 1956, 1957 and 1959), while he "raised" two less trophies in the national cup.

He was a great ace, a football player and a gentleman in football boots, respected and loved throughout the country. His popularity grew into legend and transcended the time in which he played. He was celebrated as the unforgettable captain of Crvena Zvezda and one of the conductors and best scorers of the national team, which he gave a special stamp to for a full decade. A great opponent of unsportsmanlike play and incorrect fighting, he never pulled the opponent's shirt, nor did he put his foot down. For Rajko, the football field was never a competition in strength, but a space for playing and demonstrating skills.

He simply loved football, transferring love and fair play to his club and national team mates, opponents, and fans. He was respected and unique because of his exceptional human and sporting virtues.

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