Dragi Gudelj Biography: Age, Career, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Brother, Health, Football

Dragiša Gudelj, widely known as Dragi Gudelj, is a Serbian retired footballer who played primarily as a centre-back and occasionally as a left-back, recognized for his defensive versatility and resilience.

Born in the Netherlands to a footballing family, he holds dual Serbian and Dutch citizenship. His career spanned clubs like NAC Breda, Jong Ajax, FC Wohlen, Vitória de Guimarães B, Cádiz CF B, and Córdoba CF, though it was cut short at age 26 due to serious health issues, including two cardiac arrests.

Profile

• Full Name: Dragiša Gudelj
• Stage Name: Dragi Gudelj
• Born: 8, November 1997
• Age: 27 years old
• Birthplace: Breda, Netherlands
• Nationality: Serbian, Dutch
• Occupation: Retired Footballer
• Height: 1.86m
• Parents: Nebojša Gudelj, Mrs. Gudelj
• Siblings: Nemanja Gudelj
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $500,000

Early Life and Education

Dragiša Gudelj was born on November 8, 1997, in Breda, Netherlands, to Nebojša Gudelj, a former footballer and manager, and Mrs. Gudelj.

He grew up alongside his older brother, Nemanja Gudelj, who is also a professional footballer. Raised in a football-centric family, Dragiša developed a passion for the sport early on, joining the youth academy of his hometown club, NAC Breda.

Details about his formal education, including schools attended or degrees earned, are not publicly available, as his focus was primarily on his football career. His ethnicity is Serbian, and his religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Dragiša Gudelj began his football journey in the youth ranks of NAC Breda, where his father, Nebojša, had played and later managed. Despite his potential, he never made a senior appearance for NAC.

In May 2015, he signed his first professional contract with Jong Ajax, the reserve team of AFC Ajax, moving to Amsterdam alongside his brother Nemanja, who joined Ajax’s first team, and their father, who became a scout for the club. Gudelj’s time at Jong Ajax was limited, and he struggled to break into the senior squad, prompting a move to Swiss club FC Wohlen in July 2017 to gain more playing experience.

In 2018, Gudelj joined Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal but was assigned to their B-team, where he continued to develop as a centre-back.

Seeking further opportunities, he signed a two-year deal with Cádiz CF in August 2020, playing for their reserves in Spain’s Segunda División B. In January 2022, he moved to Córdoba CF in the Segunda División RFEF, where he became a key player and was named captain.

His tenure at Córdoba was marked by resilience, particularly after a life-threatening cardiac arrest during a match against Racing de Ferrol on March 25, 2023, which required defibrillation and intensive care. Remarkably, he returned to play after receiving an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Gudelj’s career faced another setback when he collapsed again during a match against UD Melilla on December 3, 2023, though he briefly recovered on the pitch. Following this second incident, he was sidelined until the end of the season.

On July 24, 2024, Córdoba announced his retirement at age 26 due to ongoing heart issues, a decision he later described as emotionally devastating, stating, “A part of my heart went out when I stopped being a footballer.” His perseverance and leadership left a lasting impression on fans and teammates, cementing his legacy as a fighter in the sport.

Social Media

• Dragiša Gudelj does not have a verified social media handle

Personal Life

Dragiša Gudelj is currently single and there are no publicly available reports or information indicating that he has a spouse, romantic partners, or children.

Throughout the available records and media coverage, his personal life remains private, with no confirmed details about any significant relationships or family commitments.

This lack of public information suggests that he either prefers to keep his private life out of the spotlight or has not yet entered into any long-term partnerships or started a family.

Net Worth

Dragiša Gudelj has an estimated net worth of $500,000. His wealth was primarily earned through his professional football contracts with clubs like Jong Ajax, FC Wohlen, Vitória de Guimarães B, Cádiz CF B, and Córdoba CF.

While his career was relatively short due to health issues, his earnings from playing in competitive leagues and his time as a captain at Córdoba contributed to his financial standing.