Livaja equals the man whose statue Hajduk erected: Seven more ahead, but the record is hard to reach

Marko Livaja has etched his name further into the history of Croatian football club Hajduk Split by scoring his 107th goal, drawing level with the legendary Bernardo Vukas. This milestone places Livaja as the tenth player in the club's storied past to breach the 100-goal mark, cementing his status among Hajduk's greatest forwards.

The achievement came during Hajduk's dominant 4-0 victory over league leaders Osijek, a performance that showcased the team's strong form ahead of their Conference League playoff match. Livaja's goal was a significant highlight in a match that also saw contributions from Etnik Brruti, Bamba, and Šimun Hrgović.

Bernardo Vukas, a celebrated figure in Croatian football, scored 107 official goals for Hajduk. His overall tally for the club is reported to be around 300. Vukas was considered one of the best players of his era, with many believing he would have won the Ballon d'Or had it been established a year earlier. He was recognized by the Croatian Football Federation as the best Croatian player of the last 50 years in 2000 and is one of only two players honored with a statue at Hajduk's stadium.

While Livaja has the opportunity to surpass more scorers on Hajduk's all-time list, the records held by top strikers like Frane Matošić (211 official goals) and Leo Lemešić (173 goals) seem distant. Matošić's record, in particular, is considered almost insurmountable from a modern perspective. The enduring legacy of Vukas and Matošić is honored with statues at Poljud stadium, symbolizing their immense contributions to the club.