Former Premier League Star on Pain: How Painkillers Threatened His Life.

Health Problems of Ivan Klasnić

According to The Sun: The former Premier League star Ivan Klasnić has blamed painkillers for serious health problems and insists that his life could end at any moment.

This forward played three seasons in the English Premier League for the 'Bolton Wanderers', scoring 24 goals in 93 appearances before leaving the club in 2012.

Prolonged Legal Dispute

But the young man faced serious health issues: he underwent three kidney transplants caused by the negative effects of painkillers prescribed to him by doctors from 'Werder' Bremen. This worsened his undiagnosed kidney disease.

Klasnić conducted a 12-year legal battle against the Bremen doctors that ended successfully: in 2020 he received nearly 4 million pounds in compensation.

“Who knows how long I have left to live. I have to be grateful that I am still alive, although I am sick, and I have to take medication,”

“Of course, this makes me angry. I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through. No matter how much money I received as compensation, it doesn’t bring my health back,”

“It’s hard to get by without painkillers when you want to perform on the field. I don’t believe you can do any kind of professional sport without painkillers,”

“But if I had known I had kidney problems, I wouldn’t have taken these medications.”

Career and Achievements

Klasnić ended his career in 2013 after a brief stint with 'Mainz'. He won the German league and cup in 2004 with 'Werder' and previously played for the French club 'Nantes' before moving to 'Bolton' in 2009.

He scored 20 goals in the Premier League and significantly helped 'Wanderers' reach the FA Cup semifinals in 2011.

Born in Hamburg, Klasnić received 41 nominations for the Croatian national team and scored 12 goals.

The story of Ivan Klasnić is an example of how the impact of medical prescriptions can radically change an athlete’s life. His legal case has raised questions about the accountability of medical institutions regarding how painkillers are prescribed and used. In Ukraine and other countries, this could lead to a review of approaches to treating athletes and greater caution in handling medications in professional sports.