When fans search for the reasons behind Josip Ilicic missing the latter stages of international tournaments, they often run into widespread confusion. The most fundamental reality of the situation is straightforward: Josip Ilicic and the Slovenia national team did not qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, meaning any talk of tactical cuts or medical exclusions from the semi-finals misunderstands the team's qualification status entirely.
However, looking closer at his absence from top-flight European contention around that period reveals a complex intersection of severe personal struggles, physical fitness battles, and shifting tactical setups at club level with Atalanta. Unpacking why one of Serie A's most gifted playmakers drifted away from the global spotlight requires separating internet myths from the documented timeline of his career.
The Qualification Reality: Slovenia's Road to Qatar
To understand why Ilicic didn't feature in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, look first at European qualification Group H. Slovenia finished fourth in their qualifying group behind Croatia, Russia, and Slovakia, managing only 14 points from 10 matches.
Because the squad failed to secure a top-two finish or navigate the UEFA play-offs, the entire team watched the tournament from home. Any narrative suggesting a late manager's cut or a tactical omission from a semi-final matchday squad misses this baseline fact. National team coach Matjaz Kek simply didn't have the option to select Slovenia for the tournament proper, let alone deep knockout rounds. As extensively documented in detailed articles by Reuters, the implications are notable.
Mental Health Battles and the Atalanta Turning Point
While Ilicic wasn't at the World Cup due to national qualification, his absence from the peak of European club football during that exact timeframe stemmed from well-documented health challenges. The creative forward, affectionately nicknamed Il Professore by Italian journalists for his languid elegance and sublime vision, endured profound battles with clinical depression and personal burnout.
The struggles first came to public light during the summer of 2020, when pandemic-related stress and personal trauma sidelined him for months. Although he made a heroic return to pitch action later that year—including a legendary four-goal performance against Valencia in the Champions League—the mental toll lingered. By January 2022, Italian media reported that Ilicic had stepped away from Atalanta training once more to manage ongoing psychological difficulties.
When a player steps away from club duties to protect their mental well-being, match sharpness dips instantly. Even if Slovenia had qualified for Qatar, maintaining the intense physical and mental conditioning required for an international tournament proved impossible during those recurring health hiatuses.
Tactical Shifts Under Gian Piero Gasperini
Physical and mental health weren't the only factors affecting Ilicic's career trajectory around 2022. Atalanta's tactical evolution under manager Gian Piero Gasperini also changed how the playmaker fit into high-stakes matches.
Gasperini's system demands relentless, high-intensity pressing, defensive tracking, and vertical transitions from every attacker. While Ilicic possessed world-class technical skills, a wand of a left foot, and an elite eye for a final pass, his playing style was naturally unhurried. He thrived when walking into space, orchestrating tempo, and picking locks in low blocks.
As physical knocks accumulated and age caught up with the Slovenian star, sustaining Gasperini's grueling defensive press became increasingly difficult. Atalanta shifted toward younger, more dynamic runners like Ruslan Malinovskyi, Duvan Zapata, and later Ademola Lookman and Rasmus Hojlund. The tactical logic of the final cut at club level wasn't about ability; it was about modern football's non-negotiable physical demands.
Life After Serie A: Returning Home to Slovenia
After mutually terminating his contract with Atalanta in the summer of 2022, Ilicic took time away from the game before signing with Slovenian club NK Maribor later that year. Playing in his home country allowed him to rediscover joy in football away from the intense media microscope of Italian football.
His late-career resurgence proves that class is permanent. He continues to feature domestically in the Slovenian PrvaLiga, orchestrating attacks with the same vision that once terrorized Serie A defenses, while occasionally returning to the national setup when his fitness and form allow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Josip Ilicic play in the 2022 World Cup?
No. Slovenia failed to qualify out of their European qualifying group, meaning the team did not participate in the tournament.
Why did Josip Ilicic leave Atalanta?
He departed Atalanta in August 2022 following a mutual contract termination, influenced by a combination of recurring mental health battles, personal struggles, and physical fitness concerns that limited his playing time under Gian Piero Gasperini.
What is Josip Ilicic's playing style?
He is celebrated as an creative second striker or right-winger who cuts inside onto his lethal left foot. Known for exceptional close control, long-range shooting, and pinpoint passing, he relies on supreme technical intelligence rather than raw pace.
Where is Josip Ilicic playing now?
He plays in the Slovenian PrvaLiga, continuing his professional career after returning to his roots in domestic Slovenian football.
