Memorial Tournament Honors Matija Šarkić with International Teams

The Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG) is set to host the second memorial tournament in honor of the late goalkeeper Matija Šarkić. This event will take place from April 3 to 4, 2026, at the FSCG training camp facilities, featuring eight teams comprised of players aged 14 and under. The tournament aims to pay tribute to Šarkić’s contributions to Montenegrin football and will include prominent clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Inter Milan, among others.

According to Momir Đurđevac, the general secretary of FSCG, all resources will be dedicated to ensuring the tournament runs smoothly and honors the legacy of Šarkić, who passed away unexpectedly on June 15, 2022. “This tournament is a way for us to show our respect and gratitude to Matija for all he represented to Montenegrin football,” he stated.

The tournament will feature two groups. Montenegro will compete against Antwerp, Aston Villa, and Tottenham in one group, while Inter, Wolverhampton, Partizan, and Slovenia will make up the other. The event is expected to attract significant attention, reflecting the high regard in which Šarkić is held by the football community.

The first memorial tournament was held in Brussels at the British College, where Šarkić studied. His father, Bojan Šarkić, expressed gratitude to the FSCG for their efforts in organizing the event. He noted that the inaugural tournament was put together on short notice but successfully included many teams that had played with Matija, such as Birmingham City and Millwall. “Antwerp won the first tournament and will have the honor of opening the upcoming event against Montenegro,” he added.

The tournament will serve as a platform for young talent, with a total of 146 players from five countries participating. Nikola Prentić, a grassroots manager for FSCG, emphasized the importance of nurturing young footballers and adhering to UEFA guidelines for developmental tournaments. “This age group is crucial for grassroots football, and we are committed to following best practices in their training and competition,” he remarked.

Matches will be played in a structured format, with each team scheduled to play three matches each day. Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, allowing for rolling substitutions to ensure all players gain valuable experience on the field.

Matija Šarkić began his career at the youth academy of Anderlecht, where he spent a decade before moving to Aston Villa. He experienced multiple loan spells, including time at Wigan, Stratford, and Livingston, before making his mark in senior football. He represented Montenegro nine times, with his last performance being a standout match against Belgium.

This memorial tournament not only honors Šarkić’s legacy but also fosters a spirit of camaraderie among young athletes, ensuring that his impact on Montenegrin football endures for generations to come.