Article by David Marinescu – published on Friday, April 18, 2025 23:51 / Updated on Saturday, April 19, 2025 00:05
Former Croatian International Nikola Pokrivač died in a road accident on Friday in Karlovac announces journalists from Sportal.blic.rs. Only 39 years old, he has dressed in the first representative of Croatia 15 times.
Withdrawn in 2017, due to health problems, he had returned to the lawn in recent years, but for “amateurs”. Evolved for NK Vojnić '95, a formation from the lower leagues of Croatia.
The tragic road accident occurred on Friday, around 8:15 pm, in Karlovac, where two people lost their lives, and three others were injured, the Karlovac police authorities announced, the site “jutarnji”.
One of the deceased persons is the former Croatian defensive midfielder Nikola Pokrivač, who dressed the Croatian national shirt 15 times.
In his club career, he played for numerous teams in Croatia, the most important being Dinamo Zagreb. He also evolved for AS Monaco, Red Bull Salzburg.
“Nikola died, two other struggles for their lives”
The mayor of Vojnic, Nebojša Andrić, confirmed the tragic news:
“We stayed together after training, talking about everything, including how he went beyond a serious illness. I went there and received the Groanzic news … There were four of our players there. Nikola was killed. The other three were injured. Two of the wounded fight for their lives”, Confessed Andrić, according to Sportal.rs.
Pokrivac played in the Romanian – Croatian friend of 2009
Pokrivac evolved for the Croatian national team including in the friendly in the company of Romania in 2009, in Ghencea, a match in which Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic or Ivica Olic also played. The Croats then won 2-1. Pokrivac was introduced by Slaven Bilic in the 81st minute, instead of Vukojevic.
Pokrivac was a member of Croatia's national teams at different age categories, accumulating 39 selections and 3 goals between 2001 and 2006. It debuted for the big national team on May 24, 2008, in a friendly match with Moldova, şHe participated in Euro 2008, playing in Croatian victory with Poland.
In 2015, Pokrivac was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, having to perform difficult treatments, including a bone marrow transplant from his mother. After a recovery period, he returned to professional football in 2016, but announced his final withdrawal in 2017.
