The Croatian football community is mourning the untimely death of former international Nikola Pokrivac, who passed away in a car accident in Karlovac, central Croatia, on Friday evening. He was 39 years old.
The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) confirmed the devastating news, describing it as a huge loss to the sport and the nation.
Pokrivac, a talented midfielder, had an impressive career playing for clubs like Dinamo Zagreb, AS Monaco, and RB Salzburg. He earned 15 international caps between 2008 and 2010, and was part of the Croatian squad that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2008. He also featured in qualifiers against England for the 2010 World Cup.
In 2015, Pokrivac was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which led to an early retirement from professional football. Despite the illness, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to the pitch in 2021 to play amateur football. Last summer, he joined lower league side NK Vojnić.
The Tragic Incident
According to local media, Pokrivac was traveling with three NK Vojnić teammates when their vehicle was involved in a four-car collision. A 42-year-old occupant of another vehicle also died in the crash, while others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Croatian Football Federation president Marijan Kustić paid tribute, highlighting both Pokrivac’s sporting talent and personal strength.
“Nikola was a great football player, who lived football until his last moment in this world, and who showed great courage in life by overcoming a terrible disease,” Kustić said.
He continued,
“This is a great loss for our football community, and especially painful for the family. It is impossible to find words of comfort in such a shocking and unimaginably sad moment when we have lost a young life.”
“The HNS and the Croatian football family will be with them in these most difficult moments.”
Rest in peace, Nikola Pokrivac. Your courage and love for the game will never be forgotten.
