Croatia's indomitable man Nikola Pokrovac said goodbye to the world at the age of 39 due to a sad accident.
According to Croatian multiple media, Pogribac was killed in a crash involving four vehicles in the Croatian city of Karlovac on the 18th (local time). Pogribach was reportedly in the same car as three of his Boinich teammates. The three teammates were taken to the hospital with injuries. A 42-year-old man in another vehicle was also killed, local media reported.
Croatian Football Association President Marijan Kustis said in an official statement on the 19th that "Pogrivač was a great footballer, and he was with football until the last minute of his life. He showed great courage in life overcoming a terrible disease. Pogribaci's death is a huge loss for our football community, and it is especially painful for his family. It is difficult to offer comfort at this shocking and unimaginably sad moment when young lives have been lost. We extend our deepest condolences to Nicola's family and those who love him.'
Pogribac is a defensive midfielder who played for Croatia's prestigious Dynamo Zagreb, AS Monaco and Salzburg, and played 15 A matches for Croatia from 2008 to 2010. He is one of Croatia's Euro 2008 quarter-finalists. Luca Modric (Real Madrid), who was a teammate of the national team of the same age as Pogribac, paid tribute on his personal Instagram, "'Rest in peace, Nicola'.
Pogribach was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a rare disease, in August 2015. Despite numerous chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, his disease has recurred three times. At one point, the only treatment was to find a donor in the family. Pogribac, who returned to football in 2021 with an indomitable will, has played for fifth-division Wojnic since last year. He also worked as a coach for the youth team in Lavnice, Psyka, and Ludez.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
