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The footballer’s life was ruined by a rare motor neuron disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system.
The entire group of Lithuanian football representatives expressed their condolences to the families of Kaunas residents, and the English and Scottish media dedicated separate publications to the defender who had spent several years in these countries.
Probably the most striking trace of M.Žaliūkas during his career was left at the Hearts club in Edinburgh, where he played more than 150 matches in 2007-2013.
In 2012, Hearts won the Scottish Cup, and the midfielder was then the team captain and lifted his historic trophy above his head.
Reuters / Scanpix Photo / With the Scottish Cup – Marius Žaliūkas
It is symbolic that on Saturday night, the Hearts just played the Scottish Cup semi-final against their fiercest rival, Hibernian.
Robbie Neilson, who is currently coaching the team, once competed with M. Žaliūkas himself and learned of the death of a former teammate a minute before the aforementioned semi-final (Hearts won 2: 1 after the extension – ed.
It was before Hibernian that “Hearts” played in the Glasgow final eight years ago and won it safely.
“It seems to me that this victory is symbolic. When I think of Mary, I remember for the first time the game when we beat Hibsus 5: 1 and she raised the winners’ cup. He was our captain and I think this victory of ours will be at least a little comforting for his family, ”said the Hearts strategist sadly after the game.
According to R. Neilson, M. Žaliūkas’s mark on the club’s history is especially bright.
“He was a very important part of the club, and that victory has been in our history forever,” said the coach.
Neil McCann, who wore a Hearts jersey with M. Žaliūkas in 2006-2008, also responded with the most beautiful words about the Lithuanian.
“I was surprised, I express my condolences to Marius’s family. He was a very nice big guy, both as a footballer and as a man, “McCann told BBC radio.
“Marius was an example to everyone on the football field, and his hard work led the club to one of the most important achievements in club history. Rest in peace”, – tweets wrote Australian Ryan McGowan, who played Hearts with Marius.
“It was he who still found a place in the hearts of the Hearts fans, even though they all opposed the Lithuanians’ arrival in Edinburgh. Still, they were all great, and the Greens even became captains, denying any preconceptions. He led us to victory in the cup final, beating goals against Hibsus when he needed it most. M.Žaliūkas has always been the guy you are happy to see every day, ”Andrew Driver reminded a sensitive former friend of the team.
On Saturday, not only the Hearts Club, but also many of his former colleagues said goodbye to M. Žaliūkas with delicate messages on social networks.
This was followed by the Leeds United club, which returned to the English Premier League this year, and Glasgow Rangers, whose shirts M. Žaliūkas wore at the end of his career in Edinburgh.
The defender ended his professional career in 2016 at age 32 in Vilnius Žalgiris.
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