Dragisa Gudelj has had to end his professional career with immediate effect. The 26-year-old defender of Córdoba CF is struggling with heart problems and has decided to hang up his boots on the advice of doctors.

Gudelj, the younger brother of Serbian international Nemanja, suffered a cardiac arrest on 25 March in the match against Racing Ferrol. Emergency services rushed to his side and administered cardiac massage. Gudelj suddenly sprang up and later stated that he wanted to finish the match, but was stopped by medics and teammates.

Córdoba announced that same day that his condition was stable and that he remained in hospital for observation. The match was stopped after consultation between both teams. Gudelj went to play with a defibrillator and received a contract extension from Córdoba. The defender seemed to be slowly but surely on the way back.

Muchas gracias por todo, Dragi Gudelj ?? Ha sido un auténtico privilegio verte defender nuestro escudo ?? and todo momento. El #CórdobaCF forever your house will be. pic.twitter.com/gzxF3gEXeN

— Cordoba CF (@CordobaCF_ofi) July 24, 2024

Last season he was again faced with heart problems. Doctors assured the Breda native that it was better not to play football anymore and he has now followed that advice.

“From my first day here I felt at home,” Gudelj said in an emotional video on Córdoba’s social media channels. “The people of the club and the people of this city have given me so much love. The only thing I can say to you is: thank you.”

“For being with me from the first day to the last. This is the first club that gave me the love to grow as a player and as a person. I was able to develop to my level thanks to the people within the club, the fans and the people of this city. We have had wonderful times.”

“Those moments will always stay in my heart. On March 25, I lost my life for 3.5 minutes,” Gudelj says emotionally, “but thank God I came back. All I wanted was to play football again. What I want to teach the children is that you should always move forward. Never give up during difficult moments in life,” Gudelj says, among other things.

Gudelj started his career in the youth of NAC Breda. In 2015 he made the switch to Ajax. Two years later he moved to the Swiss FC Wohlen, after which he ended up at Córdoba in the summer of 2022 via Vitória Guimarães and Cádiz CF.

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