Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker was born on the 1st of January 1968 to a Bosnian Croat family from Livno. He began playing football for his hometown club NK Osijek in 1984 at the age of 16. During the 1988, 89 season, he became the league's top goal scorer with 18 goals in 26 matches. This performance earned him a move to Dinamo Zagreb in 1989. At Dinamo Zagreb, he scored 34 goals in 60 Yugoslav First League matches over two seasons. The Croatian War of Independence halted his promising season there when he was 21 years old. This conflict eventually led to his transfer to Spanish club Sevilla in 1991.
Šuker made his Primera División debut for Sevilla on the 17th of November 1991 as a substitute in a draw against Espanyol. In his next match against Real Sociedad, he started and scored two goals in a 2, 2 draw. He finished his first season with 6 goals in 22 appearances. The following season saw him score 13 goals in 33 matches after netting his first hat-trick against Albacete. In the 1993, 94 season, Šuker was the second-highest scorer in the league with 24 goals behind Romário. He played alongside Diego Maradona at the club during the 1992, 93 season. He moved to Real Madrid prior to the start of the 1996, 97 season. There he scored 24 goals in 38 appearances and helped the team win the league title. He also won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in the 1997, 98 season. His eight-year spell in Spain ended with 114 goals in 239 total appearances.
The crowning moment of Šuker's career arrived at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He scored six goals in seven matches to win the tournament's Golden Boot. Šuker also received the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the tournament behind Ronaldo. Croatia did not lose a single match in which Šuker scored before their semi-final loss to France. He scored the opener in the semi-final against France but Lilian Thuram equalized for the hosts. In the third-place play-off, Šuker scored the match-winner in a 2, 1 victory against the Netherlands. This performance led to Croatia winning the bronze medal in their debut World Cup appearance since independence. He finished third in the 1998 FIFA World Player of the Year award and second in the 1998 Ballon d'Or. He was named on the FIFA 100 list created by Pelé in 2004.
Šuker joined FA Premier League club Arsenal for the 1999, 2000 season. He made his league debut on the 22nd of August 1999 coming off the bench in a defeat to Manchester United. His first start came in a 3, 1 home victory over Aston Villa where he scored two goals. He played in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final as an extra-time substitute but missed his penalty as Arsenal lost to Galatasaray on penalties. He scored 8 league goals in 22 Premiership appearances with Arsenal. At West Ham United, he only made 11 Premiership appearances scoring twice against Manchester United and Sunderland. His career in England ended after that season when he joined German side 1860 Munich for the 2001, 02 season. He retired from club football after playing for 1860 Munich.
Šuker served as the president of the Croatian Football Federation from 2012 to 2021. Under his leadership, Croatia reached runner-up status at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This was the nation's highest achievement since their third-place finish in 1998. In 1996, Šuker posed for a picture at the grave of Croatian fascist dictator Ante Pavelić while accompanied by two well-known criminals. In 2011, he was fined for stealing antique coins left on an airplane by another passenger. Instead of reporting them, he gave the coins to his girlfriend who tried to sell them. The Croatian Journalists' Association accused Šuker in 2015 of preventing freedom of information and physically blocking journalists from doing their work. He also established the Davor Šuker Soccer Academy with training camps located in Zagreb and other Croatian cities near the end of his playing days.
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Common questions
When was Davor Šuker born and where did he grow up?
Davor Šuker was born on the 1st of January 1968 to a Bosnian Croat family from Livno. He began playing football for his hometown club NK Osijek in 1984 at the age of 16.
What were Davor Šuker's major achievements during his time with Real Madrid?
Davor Šuker scored 24 goals in 38 appearances while helping Real Madrid win the league title. He also won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in the 1997, 98 season.
How many goals did Davor Šuker score to win the Golden Boot at the 1998 FIFA World Cup?
Davor Šuker scored six goals in seven matches to win the tournament's Golden Boot at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He received the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the tournament behind Ronaldo.
Did Davor Šuker play in England and what clubs did he represent there?
Davor Šuker joined FA Premier League club Arsenal for the 1999, 2000 season before moving to West Ham United. His career in England ended after that season when he joined German side 1860 Munich for the 2001, 02 season.
When did Davor Šuker serve as president of the Croatian Football Federation?
Davor Šuker served as the president of the Croatian Football Federation from 2012 to 2021. Under his leadership, Croatia reached runner-up status at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.