Slovenia's Josip Ilicic reveals touching exchange with England & Arsenal's Declan Rice after battling back from depression & brink of retirement to star at Euro 2024

In 2020, Ilicic took a break from football to address some mental health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic and then took another sabbatical less than two years later amid further issues with depression. However, he returned to action with Maribor in 2022 and impressed enough to earn a place in Slovenia's Euro 2024 squad.

The 36-year-old came off the bench to feature in his team's final group stage match against England as the two teams played out a goalless draw on Tuesday and he has revealed that an opponent, Arsenal midfielder Rice, had some pleasant words for him.

"I am sincerely pleased, even today when I entered the pitch a player complimented me and told me that he respects me a lot, this pleases me. The whole world knows my story," he told Sky Sports.

In saying the player in question was "An Arsenal midfielder, you know the name well," Ilicic revealed it was Rice with whom he had the exchange.

After finishing third in their group, Ilicic and Slovenia have booked their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024. However, it is not yet known which team they will take on in the first knockout round of the competition.