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Davor Šuker’s life marked by a devastating tragedy: “It is merciless, and I will mourn it until I die”
🇭🇷 Croatia /Sports

Davor Šuker’s life marked by a devastating tragedy: “It is merciless, and I will mourn it until I die”

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Former Croatia striker Davor Šuker said his sister Nevenka remained one of the most important people in his life after she died at 39 from heart-related problems.
  • Šuker, a 1998 World Cup Golden Boot winner who played for Real Madrid, Arsenal and other major clubs, said he would mourn her for the rest of his life.
  • He acknowledged experiencing moments of weakness but said he tried to deal with his problems privately and move forward.

Davor Šuker’s glittering football career was shadowed by a family tragedy he said would stay with him for life. His sister Nevenka, who had supported him while he played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, died from cardiovascular problems at just 39.

Šuker became one of Croatia’s most celebrated footballers. He won the Golden Boot at the 1998 World Cup and played for Real Madrid, Arsenal, Sevilla, West Ham and 1860 Munich, where he ended his career in 2003. He later served for years as president of the Croatian Football Federation and was also a member of UEFA’s Executive Committee.

Nevenka had married, moved to Gospić and had two children. She had also pursued sport herself, playing volleyball until she was 25. Her death came as Šuker was navigating life away from the pitch and left her children without their mother.

My sister was one of the most important people in my life, and I will mourn her for as long as I live, as will my parents and my nephew and niece, who were left without their mother. Life is like that, both beautiful and merciless.

— Davor ŠukerHe described his lasting grief over his sister Nevenka’s death.

Speaking to Sportske novosti, Šuker described the loss in deeply personal terms: “My sister was one of the most important people in my life, and I will mourn her for as long as I live, as will my parents and my nephew and niece, who were left without their mother. Life is like that, both beautiful and merciless.”

He said the tragedy still brought moments when he struggled. “I would be lying if I said I did not have moments of weakness. We are all flesh and blood, but I try to deal with my problems within myself, without burdening others. I believe I am strong in character and that I move bravely forward through life.”

I would be lying if I said I did not have moments of weakness. We are all flesh and blood, but I try to deal with my problems within myself, without burdening others. I believe I am strong in character and that I move bravely forward through life.

— Davor ŠukerHe explained how he tried to cope with the family tragedy.
About this summary

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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