A dark cloud has fallen over Croatian football following the tragic death of former national team player Nikola Pokrivač (39) in a fatal traffic accident near Karlovac, Croatian daily Jutarnji list reports.
According to the Karlovac Police Department, the crash occurred around 8:15 p.m. on April 18, 2025, on the “Turanj Bypass” and involved four passenger vehicles. In the devastating collision, two people lost their lives, while three others were injured and transported by ambulance to receive medical attention.
“On April 18, 2025, at approximately 8:15 p.m. in Karlovac (Turanj Bypass), a traffic accident occurred involving four passenger vehicles. Two persons were killed in the incident, while three were taken to medical facilities for treatment,” the police statement reads.
Nikola Pokrivač, remembered as a talented midfielder with an extensive international career, began his football journey at Varteks Varaždin, before moving to Dinamo Zagreb and eventually signing with AS Monaco, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
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His career also included stints at Red Bull Salzburg (Austria), Shakhter Karagandy (Kazakhstan), and Maccabi Petah Tikva (Israel).
In 2015, Pokrivač publicly revealed he had been battling a serious illness, which forced him to withdraw from professional football. After overcoming the disease, he made a remarkable return to the pitch, playing for several lower-division clubs across Croatia.
Pokrivač earned 15 caps for the Croatian national team, contributing during a key era of the squad’s development. Since 2019, he had transitioned to coaching, sharing his experience and passion for the game with younger generations.
His sudden and tragic passing has left the Croatian football community in mourning, as fans and former teammates remember him not only for his talent and determination on the field, but for his strength and resilience off it.
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Source: Nedeljnik, Foto: Printscreen / X