Rangers hero Borna Barisic thought he’d gotten his big break when he signed for La Liga side Leganes in January.
It hasn’t gone to plan for the 32-year-old Croatian defender ever since leaving Rangers in the summer, an ill-fated stint with Trabzonspor the precursor to a loan switch to Spain.
But with Borna Barisic ready to make an impression in the Spanish top flight, the defender suffered heartbreak and a cruciate ligament tear just ten minutes into his Leganes debut.
Borna Barisic grateful for touching Leganes tribute
It’s a cruel injury for a player of Borna’s age with the absence of the ex-Rangers star leaving Leganes short at left-back for the rest of the season.
But the former Ibrox defender’s teammates have rallied around Borna and donned a special t-shirt in support of Barisic ahead of the 3-3 draw with Alaves.
Ahead of the match, the Leganes team donned a t-shirt with the message ‘Animo Barisic’, with animo a Spanish word which loosely translates as ‘you can do it’.
Borna Barisic was touched by the heartfelt tribute as he faces a year on the sidelines, with the ex-Rangers star taking to Instagram in thanks:
”Sometimes you need four days, three training (sessions) and one game to have friends forever. Thank you.”
Real Madrid legend sends Borna Barisic support
Given the gravity of the injury to Borna Barisic, the footballing community have also rallied around the ex-Rangers defender.
The Croatian national team – for whom Borna has 35 caps – sent a message of support on Instagram wishing the left-back a speedy recovery.
The presidents of Deportivo Alaves and Trabzonspor have also sent messages which Borna has acknowledged on his Instagram account.
The ex-Rangers defender also received an emotional message from Real Madrid and Spain legend Emiliano Butragueño.
The private letter, shared on Barisic’s Instagram, reads: ”On behalf of our president, Florentino Perez, and those who work for Real Madrid, we would like to wish you a smooth and speedy recovery.
”As a former professional football player, I know you are going through a difficult time, but I am utterly convinced that eventually you will be back to full fitness to help your team achieve its goals.”
