GSP article – Published on Friday, October 10, 2025, 15:46 / Updated on Friday, October 10, 2025:57
Ivan Klasnic (45 years old), the former Croatian striker, told his life decline after withdrawal: “I received a generous compensation from Werder, but the money will not play my health and I do not know how much I have to live. Sport cannot survive without systematic use of medicines.”
Former goalscorer originating in Hamburg, with Croatian roots, played in the Bundesliga at St. Pauli, then at Werder Bremen, with whom he won the title, the German Cup and Cup, and for Mainz. In Ligue 1, Klasnic wore Nantes's shirt, and in the Premier League evolved in Bolton. Ivan represented Croatia at CM 2006 and then at Euro 2008.
You should never give up and fight with your body. I needed to sign that I risk returning on the ground, because the doctors didn't give me chances
Ivan Klasnicthe former Werder Bremen striker
Werder, forced to pay her 4.5 million euro damages
The professional career remained behind, but the price is still paying it. Croatian destroyed his health due to excessive drug use, especially analgesics.
Ivan Klasnic suffered three kidney transplants. “I have to be grateful that I am still alive, but I do not know how long I have to live,” he said in a documentary broadcast by a German television.
The former Croatian goalscorer had to fight in the courts for 12 years with Werder Bremen, whose medical personnel prescribed analgesics that affected his kidneys and, as a result, forced him to end his career.
The court has decided in his favor and decided that the club should have identified and treat changes in the attacker since May 2003, which he did not do.
In 2020, the judges They forced Werder to pay 4.5 million euros. To this amount is added over 100,000 euros for the negligence of the two doctors. “Of course I am angry. I would not want anyone to go through what I have passed. No matter how much money I would take as compensation, that will not play my health.”
Ivan Klasnic (45 years old), at a charitable match, the margin – Paule, played in Germany a month ago / Photo: IMAGO
41The selections and 12 goals had Ivan Klasnic for the Croatian national. At the club teams, St. Pauli, Bremen, Nantes, Bolton and Mainz, has managed 120 goals in 428 games
Klasnic: “They made me sign a sheet to do it on my own responsibility! I wanted to prove them that I am wrong, that they are wrong”
Klasnic recalled the ordeal he went through: “I was not helping me the pills and the doctors told me in 2007 that I have to do kidney transplant. The first one gave me my mother on January 25, but it didn't go, so they took another one from my dad and worked. When the doctors first told me that the body rejected it, then I wondered “why? Why should I happen?! ».
I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I lived. I am the only footballer who returned to the lawn after a kidney transplant. My advice for those who arrive in my situation is not to give up and fight their body, even if it is very-very hard
Ivan Klasnicthe former Werder Bremen striker
Ivan openly accused those who treated him: “Although the doctors at Werder did not allow me to play football, they made me sign a sheet on their own. I wanted to prove to those people that they are wrong.
Ivan Klasnic (45 years old), at a charitable match, the margin – Paule, played in Germany a month ago / Photo: IMAGO
Klasnic: “When I returned to workouts I was running just like an old man! I was going more and sweating a lot”
They told me they would be with me if I wanted to try. I remember when I did the first training I was running exactly like an old man. I was going more and sweating a lot. ”
Ivan Klasnic returned to the lawn after operations on November 24, 2007, also in Bremen, and in less than a month he signed a “double” against Leverkusen. And he also returned to the national team, becoming in 2008 the first footballer playing at Euro after a kidney transplant!
It is difficult to continue without analgesics if you want to give the best on the ground. I do not think you can practice professional sport without taking analgesics. But if I knew I had problems with the kidneys, I wouldn't have taken those medicines
Ivan Klasnicthe former Werder Bremen striker
He even scored two goals, in the parties with Poland and Turkey. But in September 2016, his health was severely damaged and needed another kidney. Third transplant, in October 2017. Four years after retiring, from Mainz.
