Former Yugoslavia international and Hajduk Split legend Ivan Gudelj has died at the age of 66 after a serious illness, bringing an end to the life of one of the most celebrated footballers of his generation.

Gudelj’s death was announced on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, with Hajduk Split and the Croatian Football Federation among those paying tribute to the former midfielder, who became a prominent figure in both Yugoslav and Croatian football.

Born in Imotski on April 21, 1960, Gudelj joined Hajduk Split as a youngster in 1975 and eventually established himself as one of the club’s outstanding players during the 1980s.

He spent his entire senior playing career with Hajduk, making 362 appearances and scoring 93 goals despite primarily operating as a defensive midfielder.

Gudelj was known for his versatility, football intelligence and leadership, qualities that eventually saw him rise to become the youngest captain in the history of the Yugoslav national team.

A career cut short at its peak

His playing career was brought to an abrupt end while he was still only 25 after he was diagnosed with hepatitis B. At the time, Gudelj was regarded as one of the leading players in Yugoslav football and was approaching what could have been the most productive period of his career.

Before his retirement, he had already achieved considerable success with Hajduk.

He helped the Split club win the Yugoslav championship in 1978–79 and two Yugoslav Cups, in 1977 and 1984. He also represented Yugoslavia at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where he scored against the host nation.

At international level, Gudelj made 33 appearances for Yugoslavia and scored three goals. His leadership qualities were particularly recognised during his international career, with his appointment as captain making him one of the youngest players to hold that position for the national side.

Although his illness ended his playing career prematurely, Gudelj remained involved in football for decades.

He later dedicated much of his life to developing young players and served within the Croatian Football Federation as an instructor and coach of youth national teams.

From 2005 to 2013, he coached Croatia’s Under-17 national team, before taking charge of the Under-19 side between 2013 and 2014.

His death has prompted tributes across Croatian football, with the Croatian Football Federation describing him as a player who left a lasting mark both at Hajduk and within the country’s youth national-team structure.

Gudelj’s legacy therefore extends beyond the trophies and appearances recorded during his relatively short playing career. His years as a youth coach allowed him to continue contributing to football and influencing a new generation of players long after he was forced to leave the pitch.

For Hajduk Split supporters, he remains one of the defining figures of the club’s history, while for followers of Yugoslav football, he is remembered as a gifted midfielder whose promising career was cut short by illness.

The football world in Croatia is now mourning a player whose career ended far earlier than expected but whose influence on the game continued for decades.