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The sports world mourns the death of legendary striker Hajduk after a serious illness.
Slovenia⚽ Sports9/2/2026

The sports world mourns the death of legendary striker Hajduk after a serious illness.

The article reports on the death of legendary football striker Zlatan Gudelj, who passed away after suffering from a severe illness. Born on April 21, 1960, in Imotski, Gudelj began his career at home club NK Istra before moving to Hajduk Split in 1975. He played 362 matches for Hajduk, scoring 93 goals. His career was interrupted by health issues, including hepatitis B diagnosed at age 25. With Hajduk, he won the Yugoslav league title in 1979 and reached the cup finals in 1977 and 1984. He represented the Yugoslavia national team in 33 matches, scoring three goals, and participated in the 1982 World Cup and 1984 European Championship. Later in Croatia, he coached youth national teams.

A legendary Croatian footballer has passed away after a long battle with illness. Ivan Gudelj, former striker for NK Hajduk Split, died at the age of 67 following a severe illness. His death has sent shockwaves through the sports community, particularly among fans of the club he represented for much of his career. Born on April 21, 1960, in Imotski, Gudelj began his football journey in his hometown before joining Hajduk Split in 1975. He quickly became one of the standout players of his generation, making 362 appearances for the club and scoring 93 goals. His performances earned him recognition both domestically and internationally, leading to his selection for the Yugoslav national team. During his time with the national squad, Gudelj played 33 matches and scored three goals, participating in the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the 1984 UEFA European Championship. Notably, he became the youngest captain in the history of the Yugoslav national team during the 1982 World Cup. His professional career was abruptly halted when he was diagnosed with hepatitis B at the age of 25. During a match against Red Star Belgrade, Gudelj collapsed on the pitch, and subsequent medical tests confirmed the diagnosis. This disease forced him to retire from playing, marking the end of his active career. Despite this setback, Gudelj remained deeply connected to football, transitioning into coaching and guiding youth teams. From 2005 to 2013, he coached the under-17 national team, and later led the under-19 squad until 2014. Gudelj's story took an unexpected turn in August 2023, when medical tests revealed that he had successfully cleared the hepatitis B virus after 37 years. Tests conducted at KBC Split showed negative results for HBsAg and PCR HBV DNA, indicating a long-term recovery. This medical miracle brought hope to many suffering from similar conditions. Gudelj used his experience to advocate for awareness and support efforts against hepatitis, becoming the first Croatian ambassador for the fight against the disease. His personal journey inspired others facing health challenges. Despite these positive developments, Gudelj faced another serious illness towards the end of his life. Recent reports indicate that he was diagnosed with malignant cancer, which required surgery at Zagreb’s Dubrava Hospital. However, the disease had progressed too far, and doctors were unable to provide further treatment. His passing marks the end of a remarkable life filled with triumph, tragedy, and resilience. The sports world mourns the loss of a true icon, whose legacy continues to inspire. His contributions to football, both as a player and a coach, will be remembered for generations. As fans and colleagues reflect on his achievements and struggles, they honor a man who dedicated his life to the game he loved. Gudelj's story remains a powerful testament to human endurance and the enduring spirit of sport.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

Slovenske novice logoSlovenske noviceIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 659/2/2026
The legend of Hajduk said goodbye: the disease took away his brilliant career at the age of 25 (PHOTO)

Ivan Gudelj, legendarni hrvatski nogometaš, je imel zelo uspešno kariero, vključno s prestavkom v Hajduk Split in udeležbo na svetovnem prvenstvu leta 1982. Na vrhu svoje kariere, ko je imel skoraj 25 let, je zbolel hepatitis B, kar je povzročil konček njegove profesionalne igre. Po več desetletjih je bil znan kot prvi hrvaški ambasador za boj proti hepatitisu, kar je pomenilo, da je svojo bolezen uporabil za pomoč drugega. Kljub temu je Gudelj ostal povezan s nogometom, posvetil se je trenutku in vodil različne ekipa. Njegova smrt je bila pretresljiva, ker je v zadnjem obdobju življenja boril z malignim rakom.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on Ivan Gudelj's sports career and personal health challenges, which are non-political topics. There is no indication of political bias or framing in the narrative. The content remains neutral and factual, focusing solely on his athletic achievements and medical journey without涉及

Why factuality (85): This article provides detailed and comprehensive information about Gudelj's career, including specific statistics, his role as captain, and his international appearances. It also covers his health struggles and personal journey, which aligns closely with the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (65): While informative, the article uses emotionally charged language such as 'čudežno ozdravel' and 'pretresljiva zgodba', which suggests a more narrative and empathetic approach. This can be seen as slightly less objective compared to a purely factual report.

Žurnal24 logoŽurnal24IndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 609/2/2026
Died the legendary Croat, Split wrapped in black

Ivan Gudelj, legendarni hrvatski nogometaš, je umrl v 67 letih zaradi težke bolezni. Nogometna kariera je bila zelo uspešna: za splitsko Hajducko je igral 362 tekem in dosegel 93 golov, osvojil naslov v jugoslovanski ligi ter dve pokalni zmago. Z Jugoslavijo je igral 33 tekem, dosegel tri gola, sodeloval na SP 1982 in EP 1984. Po koncu igre je postal trener hrvaške reprezentance mladinskega vekova. Smučarski svet ga je opisal kot velikana, ki je zagodal fotografom.

Bias read (Center): Tematika je sportska in apolitična, zato ni predmet političnega razprave. Vsebina oglasuje dejstva o življenju in karieri nogometaša brez političnih ali družbenih kontroverz.

Why factuality (80): This article includes most of the key facts from other sources, including his age at death, birthplace, career stats, and health issues. It also adds some context about the media coverage and public reaction, which aligns with the cross-source consensus.

Why objectivity (60): The article has a more dramatic tone, using phrases like 'Split zavit v črno' and emphasizing the tragic nature of his death. There is a clear focus on the emotional impact of his passing, which leans towards a more somber and reflective tone.

Maribor24 logoMaribor24IndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 659/2/2026
The sports world mourns the death of legendary striker Hajduk after a serious illness.

The article reports on the death of legendary football striker Zlatan Gudelj, who passed away after suffering from a severe illness. Born on April 21, 1960, in Imotski, Gudelj began his career at home club NK Istra before moving to Hajduk Split in 1975. He played 362 matches for Hajduk, scoring 93 goals. His career was interrupted by health issues, including hepatitis B diagnosed at age 25. With Hajduk, he won the Yugoslav league title in 1979 and reached the cup finals in 1977 and 1984. He represented the Yugoslavia national team in 33 matches, scoring three goals, and participated in the 1982 World Cup and 1984 European Championship. Later in Croatia, he coached youth national teams.

Bias read (Center): The article is purely about sports and does not involve any politically charged subject matter. It provides a factual account of Gudelj's football career and achievements without any ideological or partisan framing.

Why factuality (75): The article provides basic facts about Ivan Gudelj's career and death, aligning with the cross-source consensus. It mentions his birthplace, club history, achievements, and health issues. However, it lacks specific dates for his death and omits some details like his later coaching roles mentioned in

Why objectivity (65): The tone is somewhat emotional, using phrases like 'žaluje' and focusing on the tragedy of his early retirement due to illness. The article presents information in a narrative style that emphasizes the impact of his story rather than remaining strictly neutral.

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