By Sama Marwan,
Davor Šuker is regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the history of Croatian and international football, having etched his name in golden letters through a career filled with goals and achievements, both at the club and international levels.
Born on January 1, 1968, in Osijek, Šuker began his professional career with Osijek in 1984, showcasing his goal-scoring talent early on by netting 40 goals in 91 matches. In 1989, he moved to Dinamo Zagreb, where he continued to impress with 34 goals in just two seasons.
His outstanding performances caught the attention of top European clubs, leading to a transfer to Sevilla in 1991. During his time in La Liga, he played 153 matches, scoring 76 goals, establishing himself as one of the league’s top strikers. In 1996, he joined Real Madrid, where he played a key role in winning La Liga (1996–97) and clinching the UEFA Champions League title in 1998.
Later, Šuker had stints in the English Premier League with Arsenal and West Ham United, before concluding his career with 1860 Munich in Germany, officially retiring in 2003.
On the international stage, Šuker initially played for Yugoslavia, winning the 1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he scored six goals. However, after Croatia gained independence, he became the national team’s biggest star, scoring 45 goals in 69 appearances, making him Croatia’s all-time top scorer.
The 1998 FIFA World Cup in France was the highlight of his international career, as he led Croatia to a historic third-place finish in their first-ever World Cup appearance. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, winning the Golden Boot and becoming one of the biggest stars of the tournament.
Following his retirement, Šuker remained involved in football, serving as President of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) from 2012 to 2021, playing a key role in developing the sport in Croatia.
Davor Šuker remains one of Croatia’s greatest football legends, with an unforgettable career and remarkable achievements that have cemented his name in the history of world football.
