FIFA president Infantino remembers legendary Slaven Zambata

In a message Croatian Football Federation president Davor Šuker, FIFA president Gianni Infantino remembered the captain of GNK Dinamo's winning team in 1967 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Slaven Zambata.

Dear President,

I would like to express my sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of former international player and legendary GNK Dinamo captain, Slaven Zambata. Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel for this loss.

During his career, Slaven Zambata earned 31 caps for Yugoslavia and was captain of the national team that participated in the 1964 Olympic Football Tournament in Tokyo. At club level, having started playing football for NK Junak Sinj, Slaven will be remembered for his long career at GNK Dinamo, playing in a decade close to 400 matches and notably winning four Yugoslav Cups and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1967. He later played in Belgium at KSV Waregem and KVV Crossing Elewijt, before returning shortly to Zagreb.

Considered one of the best forwards of the 1960s, and still today one of the most prolific goalscorers in Dinamo’s history, his legacy and achievements, and in particular his leadership, his personality and his human qualities will not be forgotten, and he will be truly missed. On behalf of the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Croatian Football Federation, and to Slaven’s family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all of you.

We hope that these memories and our words of support may help bring some peace and solace at this difficult time.

Yours sincerely,
Gianni Infantino

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