Former Croatia midfielder Nikola Pokrivac dies in car crash

Nikola Pokrivac has died following a car accident in Karlovac on Friday evening. The 39-year-old was travelling with three teammates from NK Vojnic when he was involved in the four-vehicle collision, leaving the trio with serious injuries and another 42-year-old person killed at the scene. The police have opened an investigation to clear up the causes of the event, reports local outlet 'Sportske Novosti'.

Pokrivac began his career as a professional footballer with Varteks in 2004, before moving on to various spells with Dinamo Zagreb, Monaco, Salzburg and Rijeka. He has also registered 15 caps with the Croatian national team between 2008 and 2010. He was forced to hang up his boots in 2015 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Nevertheless, he managed to win his battle against cancer, making his return to amateur football in 2021 and joining fourth division side NK Vojnic last summer. The Croatian Federation and former club Dinamo Zagreb have offered an emotional statement following the news of the former midfielder's passing.

"With great sadness and disbelief, we received the news of the severe traffic accident in Karlovac in which, unfortunately, our former player Nikola Pokrivac lost his life. Nikola will forever remain part of the Dinamo family – as a talented midfielder, a fighter on the pitch, and a man with a big heart," reads the statement from the Zagreb-based outfit.

Meanwhile, Croatian Football Federation president Marijan Kustic said: "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. This is a great loss for our football community, and especially painful for the family." Monaco and Salzburg have also paid tribute to their former player.