Ivan Classnich, Getty Images 09 October 2025, 13:45

The former Croatian striker is one of the most difficult periods of his life. The reason is his poor health, caused by the use of very strong medicines while playing for the German club.

“No money will be able to restore my health. I have done three transplants; I don’t know how much more. I just have to be grateful for being alive, even if I have to take medicine to survive,” he said in a German television documentary.

“It is difficult to stop taking medicine when you want to compete. I do not think that no professional sport can survive without painkillers. But if I knew I had a problem, I would not take this medicine.” The former player has to pass dialysis sessions daily. “Of course, I’m angry. I would not wish anyone what I passed.”

Cloial sued against Bremen Verder and won. The club was ordered to pay him millions of losses (4.5 million euros) for the damage caused, plus 100,000 euros for the negligence of two doctors who were on duty, and he received compensation for not continuing to play football.

Ivan Clovich was one of the leaders of the championship Verder. Which in the 2003/04 season made a golden double.